One cool thing about playing sports for an American school overseas...away games involve a plane trip and hotel stay. Mostly, we just play the other DoDDS high school on island, but at least twice this season, the Kubasaki football team gets to travel to mainland Japan to play other schools.
I was sick and didn't plan on going to the school to see off the bus to the airport, but Troy forgot a couple of important items, so I had to drag myself out of bed. I'm actually glad though, because I got these great pics...
The head coach letting them know what he expects of them...
Putting their muscles to work loading up the luggage...
Coaches Bales and Geist...these guys are great!
I thought the human chain (viewed through the bus windows) to load the luggage was pretty cute, but don't tell any of them I referred to them as cute, K?
Finally ready to go...
But not before the principal tells them all what he expects, too...and explains the term "international incident".
Look at all those suitcases!
And they are finally on their way...
I made my way back to the van...and promptly broke down sobbing. I was so excited for Troy to have this experience...and it was just 3 1/2 days, for crying out loud. I knew I shouldn't have watched Fiddler on the Roof again (darn those Joneses for lending it to us).
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
I know it sounds cliche' but honestly it seems like just last week I could fit him into my arms. Now I look up to him...literally and figuratively. All I could think about was that in a year or two (depending on where he attends college before his mission) we'll be saying a WAY harder goodbye. I'm SO proud of him and happy for him...but so not ready for this.
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
I pulled myself together and headed back to bed. For now, I guess I can blame it on my illness...next week, I'll just be back to being an ordinary cry baby.
2 comments:
I have great respect for you and am envious of your "hard goodbyes". I had allowed myself to become calloused and worn down by self imposed sand paper. I cannot remember a difficult goodbye save be for my Dad's passing. We had become close through an internet community of submariners his last couple of years. Odd that it was you Carrie, who when trying to comfort me via telephone in the middle of the night, was actually the one to inform me of Dad's death. Chet Atkins and his "I Still Can't Say Goodbye" makes me cry like a lost child.
It is so sad that I have to lose a father to feel a hard goodbye. What have I done to myself? Perhaps it is not too late for me if I pay attention to family and friends who understand how re-affirming and soul stretching hard goodbyes can be.
Wow, he's just so grown up. Amazing how that happens. So exciting, yet profoundly sad at the same time.
Post a Comment