Yesterday I was at the beauty shop getting a hair cut
"Just give me a trim," I said "I'm going on a trip next month and I will be back just before I leave. "
"Where are you going?" she asked.
I love this part because every time I say Vanuatu there is silence.
Usually their faces give them away.
If they know were it is then they usually know something about its location and history.
If they don't have a clue then at some point they will say, "Where is that at?"
"Is that by Hawaii?" she asked.
"No," and I proceeded to give her a quick geography lesson that included Australia because most people have some idea were that is.
"Why, are you going there?" she asked.
"My son is a missionary, and my grandchildren are there," I told her.
"Aahh, I bet you miss them.That is so far away," she sympathized.
Smart girl I thought to myself.
"Do your grandchildren like it there?"
"Yes, that is all they know. They've lived there their whole lives," I said.
"When they come here do they want to stay here?" she asked.
Why does everyone ask me that? It always tugs at my heart.
"It's not that they don't like it here, but they are usually ready to go home," I said.
"Hmm," she seems to be thinking about it," that's interesting."
"How nice for them to have that experience," she finally responds.
This conversation happens a lot with strangers.
They have no way of knowing that as a missionary grandma it is hard for me to accept that my grandchildren will probably never know the USA as well as they know Vanuatu.
It is hard to accept that they may grow up and struggle with culture shock when they come home to study or live.
Its hard to accept that when they do come home on furlough it can be an overwhelming experience. I have stood in the toy isle watching them looking at the abundance of choices only to respond that they really don't want anything after all.
Its hard to accept that the things we take for granted they may have never seen before, and don't know how to use. Check out article I wrote about my granddaughters experiences last time she was in the states. http://womenoftheharvest.com/legacy/2008hlsummer/2008hljul_web.html
Its not that I'm not thankful for their cross-cultural experiences.
It's just another one of those bittersweet times, when I'm both happy and sad about it all.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
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3 comments:
I am beginning to understand the paradox of my feeling...a little.Goodbyes and hellos are the same thing.Depending where you stand. When I went to Haiti this week to help prepare my daughter's new home sad/happy married.
I think of the time when 2 year old Josiah will struggle with English. I could not be more pleased to see the hand of God on my family. And I count on His hand on me in the coming years when the sorrow is too deep and the longing too painful.
I loved reading your article. thank you for sharing.
Oh Karen,
I seldom can read your posts without tears in my eyes! I know that sharing like this encourages many others.
Love to you and POMs everywhere,
Diane
Diane,
Thank you for your encouragement. You are a blessing to us POMs. Karen
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