How I miss you.
Things I'm Thankful For This Year:
My dad's willingness to pay for all of this despite the fact working so much makes it very hard to visit my little brother or my older brother.
My mother for letting me live halfway across the world at sixteen despite her breaking heart whenever she misses me.
The fact I'm from Canada, a country that everyone respects and likes.
Rainboots.
Friends who keep talking to you when you're far away, no matter how awkward the time differences are and no matter how sad it makes them to hang up when you have to go to bed and they have to go to lunch.
Everything I'm forgetting to mention.
My friends here in Belgium, who make it bearable when school is unbearable.
Anyone who tells me with that genuinely impressed smile that my French is improving
The inventors of cell phones and Skype.
Cover-up cream.
My baby brother, whom I miss and who reminds my friends back home of me when he laughs.
Teachers who understand that I don't.
My parents again for understanding a bad day doesn't mean I want to come home.
Samm for understanding when I need to talk and letting me listen. And rest my head on your unbelievably comfortable shoulder.
Ammie for not minding the fact I'm a floundering child sometimes.
My cat.
My host sister for taking care of me despite the fact I'm older and it should technically be my job to figure it out for myself.
Camera battery = rechargeable = FREE
Internet and Facebook. I don't have to figure out how to print photos.
Rotary Belgium for my allowance, and my host families and hosting me and inviting me to France.
Central States Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary International, my parents, schools and governments, for making all of this possible.
Thank you.
Shae-chelle. What a lovely post. You make me so proud to be your mom. We missed you over Thanksgiving. I'm making turkey soup from the leftovers and I am so sad that you are not here making dumplings to go in the pot. However, I am thrilled that your host family is going to do Thanksgiving with you to keep you connected to Canada. I'm so thankful I had you sixteen years ago. Love you lots.
ReplyDeleteYour parents have done a most difficult and important thing. Each time I stop by your blog and take in a story or two, I am reminded of when I was sixteen in Norway. I will be forever grateful for my parents' generosity and selflessness. By sharing your experience in words and pictures, you are making your absence less difficult (and quite exciting) for the people that miss you. Carry on!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
-Miss Yergens