There have been a handful of times in my life that I haven’t wanted to “leave.” My earliest memory was at nine years old when my Dad was discharged from the military. I remember sitting in the backseat of the car with an empty feeling inside as we drove away from our neighborhood in Ontario. I never got to say goodbye to my best friend that day. She would find me years later through the magic of the internet.
Many years passed before, as an adult, I found myself saying goodbye to my family as my eight year old son and I embarked on a new adventure and moved to a different country where we had no friends or family. This nearly broke me but God had other plans. The bond with my family was never broken and we are still close to this day despite the many miles between us.
Then the day came after losing my husband when I made the decision to sell the house we had made so many memories in. As I walked through the rooms, every one of them had some special recollection attached to it; those of holidays, birthdays and anniversaries…even the quiet moments. The day I drove away for the last time, I did it slowly, barely creeping down the driveway, watching as the house…our house…my house, disappeared from view.
So you see I have had those times when I didn’t want to leave. Times when I’ve wanted to hold on so tightly that tomorrow seemed impossible. Many tears were shed not knowing what the future would hold. But I have been abundantly blessed despite the leaving and for that I will always be grateful.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
