On Thursday afternoon I said goodbye to so many things from a runway. As the plane lifted into the air I voiced my "farewell" to 40 + heat in April, to Chadian children who scream "nassara", to fresh watermelon in any season, to mosquito nets, to teaching English, to daily foot-washings, to bucket baths of cold water, to boule, to bleach rinsed everything, to bright colored outfits and wrapping yards of fabric around my head, to hand shakes and "sava"s, to so many other Chadian things.
As the plane reached cruising hight and the mud-brick houses disappeared beneath the sand clouds, I wiped the tears from my eyes as I read my sister's farewell letter. She listed Chadian experiences I dare not ever forget. And she reminded me that though my time in N'Djamena was barely 4 months out of so many more, it will stay with me. I don't leave these things behind as I fly away over the Atlantic, but bury them within my heart so that they may change me and challenge me.
And I did not say farewell to my family. To them I said "Au'revoir" and "God bless". Until we meet again. And they will be held closer still in my heart.