Leaving Home

I mentioned previously that I had moved around alot for my job...but this was the first time I was leaving my home, my family, my friends and my country for such an extended period of time.  Emotional is not enough to describe how I felt...

Let me preface this by saying that my family is quite close.  We enjoy having large family gatherings several times a year.  I normally see my family at least every 6 to 8 weeks in some capacity.  The third week of August is traditionally when all of the first and second cousins (plus an aunt or uncle or two for supervision!) come together for a weekend of fun at the family camp on Manitoulin Island.  Unfortunately for me, this special weekend coincided with my flight to Turkey.  I was really bummed about missing it this year...However, unbeknownst to me, my sister and cousins plotted a surprise going away party in place of our annual camping get-together!  It was great to see everyone all together one last time before my big move!  I am not a crier, but I couldn't hold back the tears when I walked into the back yard of cousin S's house and saw the effort that had been spent making my last night at home special.  My cousin has a large, beautiful back yard that had been transformed with balloons, streamers, and hand made "We'll Miss You" and "Good Luck" signs.  There was a bonfire, cake, food, drinks, and tons of well wishes.  Who wouldn't be moved??

The next morning was so surreal.  I knew I was leaving, but the reality of it hadn't really sunk in...I brought my bags upstairs and prepared for the arrival of my best friend C and her then boyfriend K who would be my escorts for the 4 hour trek to Pearson International and my flight to my new life.  We had breakfast like we normally would and carried on as we normally would...then, the doorbell rang... they were here!  More tears as I gave my dad, step-mom and sister hugs good bye.  Even my dad, who is normally so strong and stoic, was crying which made me even more emotional.  I'm getting teary just thinking about it now and it's been over 7 months....One of the hardest things I have ever done is walk out that door that day - my dad didn't want to let go of me and I didn't want to let go of him!  Home has been my safety blanket for my entire life and now I was about to walk out and start a new life alone in a new country.