Friday is quickly coming to a close. it’s 545pm and the sun has pretty much set. my stomach tells me it’s time for dinner. then i will probably indulge in a bit of socializing and an early bedtime. ending the week was actually harder than i thought…

John gave me a big hug as i said good-bye to Dambwa clinic this morning. i couldn’t hold back the tears and ended up mumbling a rushed farewell when the truck rolled up. i gave him his present, but couldn’t stay to watch him open it. i had anticipated our departure would be hurried and had tucked in a thank-you note with it this morning.

i was surprised at my emotion because the tears just kept coming even as we drove away. i wasn’t sure i felt sad at leaving the people behind… for some reason i felt i was leaving a part of myself behind. the wind in the truck was freezing as usual, but i didn’t put my sweater back on. i was thankful for the cold and welcomed my shivering limbs. the physical discomfort distracted me from my emotional turbulence.

i’m having a hard time even writing about it now… words and feelings are mixed up behind a protective wall. i think i have to let them sit before i can elaborate further… maybe they will be clearer then. maybe they will be gone then. either way, i have physically said “good-bye” to a huge part of my time here in Livingstone, but i know i will emotionally carry it with me indefinitely.