Bidding Adieu

 Farewells. It's a complicated affair. Some love it, some hate it, some ignore it.

 

Since I announced my departure from Dubai permanently, I have come to form stronger bonds with even more people! Some took the opportunity to declare their admiration for my beauty, wisdom and strengths; Some used it as a platform to encourage me to pursue my dreams and reinforce the spirit of unwavering determination and enthusiasm in me; while others 'prophesied' about my beautiful future, with a postgraduate certificate and a nice, handsome hubby, painting a picture of a Proverbs 31 woman who has it all.

 

There are some too, who treat this departure of mine as an everyday affair. I know and I understand their point of view perfectly well. There are too many people who come and go in our lives. Do we say goodbye to all of them? Is a party or a farewell dinner really necessary?

 

Once a workaholic, I used to think that all these were unnecessary. "Bah!" I thought! "Humbug! Gifts, parties , speeches... what a waste of time. Work comes first. If everybody were busy attending these social events, where would we find time to complete our work?"

 

But since I came here, and found a team of workaholics who thought exactly like me, I realized that all these seemingly 'time-wasting' social events are really necessary, not only for appreciation towards one's presence and contribution, but also for acknowledging the reality and celebration of the event.

 

Over the course of the past two weeks, even though there were no formal farewell party or presentation of gifts at my department, the fact that each of my colleagues took the effort to invite me individually to their houses or favourite haunts for Iftar-s, melted my heart. They went all out to buy 3D cards for me, thought of words that struck the core of my spirit and made me laugh the whole night, reminiscing about our times together and foreseeing the bright future that we have ahead of us.

 

My church mates on the other hand, all gave me a big, tight, warm hug. I will definitely miss those hugs which lift me up when I'm sad and hopeless; and those nights when we all sat huddled together, seeking God, cheering each other on, wondering how to answer, 'what do you think about .... ' questions.

 

Saying 'bye' may be hard. But it has also made me realized that each one of us has a positive impact on one another's lives, regardless of whether we know it or not.

 

But with each farewell that I bade, the resounding message that always bounced back and drummed into my head was "Be Yourself." Is it because I strive to be perfect in every way? Is it because I try too hard to be somebody I'm not? Or perhaps it's because I think too much?

 

I wonder...

 

All I know for now is, from now on, I will be myself. I will laugh, cry, and smile without any restraint for one whole year. I can dress up and not dress down. I will say what I think and what I mean and not the exact opposite. I will uphold my integrity at all times. I will do the right thing. I will stand up for myself and set appropriate boundaries. I will identify the various levels and circles of relationships. Most importantly, I will abide in Him for as long as we abide in Him, He will abide in us. And with that, we will have nothing to worry about!