Some goodbyes in photos...

I will try to post a couple blogs of photos capturing some "last" things.

One thing that should be a "first" thing if I'm going to keep up with this blog is how to move things around and arrange photos and texts on the page.  So please excuse the execution of these photo catalogs of last things.

I've been feeling a bit remiss that I'm not putting words to the emotions of leaving but I think I've decided that many of those feelings and even capabilities to verbalize things will unfold in the coming year.  "We live forward, understand backwards".  And it is partly true of human experience and I do think part of what will clarify the loss and change will be the reality of being in the thick of the "new" life, new culture, new roles, new home, new routines, etc, etc.  I suspect that is where many "ah-hahs" come so for now, I'll try to be a bit consistent on documentation and save reflection for later!

And as for readers, I'll be honest that at this point I'm mostly recording these things as a personal journal of sorts as I'm not great at doing a written journal.

The beginnings of last things:

Last days at Acacia International School included a sports day where the girls won medals for their trampoline moves.  I can only say that is due to years of a community trampoline on campus!

Mary on trampoline

Rachel on trampoline

At Carol's birthday party--Carol turns 4

The outgoing executive director of Uganda Partners at a local ministry with a Uganda Partners team

At a birthday party for Kadin

Doing a slideshow of photos of our expat friends over the years

Easter lunch at Cissy's

Rachel holding Baby Hannah at Cissy's

Ready for Introduction--the cultural form of engagement/marriage 

Pre-wedding, waiting for the bridal party

The set of photos with Rachel, Lisa and Eddie are photos taken from a trip to Western Uganda where we visited our friend Vincent(USP driver for 10 years) and then headed over to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The trip was a bit of a last hurray for this season of life at least with USP colleagues, neighbors and friends.   It felt like a lovely grown-up trip exploring Uganda.  We were hoping to see tree-climbing lions and didn't manage that but the scenery, the drives, the companionship and the general enjoyment of travel with friends was a real treat.

Hiking up from Vincent's house in Rukungiri, his rooftop behind us

Visiting with Vincent's family, his sister, mother and grandmother

Soon to come, some photos of last dinners with friends in Mukono.  One day Mary said, "Why are we going to so many dinners at people's houses?" And I said, "would you rather stay home with Dorothy?" She said, "Definitely not, I was just wondering." I told her, "We want you to remember and enjoy the people we've known in Uganda and see all the different ways that family live, host visitors, share about their lives and share together about the time and roles we've had in each others lives."  A bit wordy, but I am really grateful that the kids are now at ages where it is easy to bring them along.  So, I have some photos documenting that but will also try to capture some of the traditions that go with dining and hospitality in Uganda.