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Published: July 29th 2016
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"A Journey Is Best Measured In Friends, Not Miles" Tim Cahill
How we are at this point in our journey already is absolutely beyond me. I sit to compose this blog post, mostly packed, excited for our adventure in Paris to begin, but not ready for our time in Germany to end. My mind is full of the amazing experiences we have enjoyed here, the wonderful people who have opened their hearts and their homes to us, and the many friendships that have been forged in the process. The German portion of this exchange is coming to an end all too soon, and it culminated in a wonderful event this evening.
We met in the nearby town of Rangendingen at the local soccer stadium and park for an event that was sure to be enjoyed, but that nobody wanted to talk about in the days leading up to it for fear of acknowledging that our time here was short. The sky, which had been full of ominous looking dark clouds for most of the day, was now clear and a brilliant blue. Our students made the most of the surroundings by playing soccer, tossing the football, enjoying some sand
volleyball, or just sitting and chatting with friends and exchange partners. Watching them interact so effortlessly together, students with eachother, as well as with host parents, it was very evident just how close they have all become. The bond that develops over the course of these exchanges never ceases to amaze me, and it always makes me smile.
Copious amounts of meat were on the BBQ, salads and sides adorned the surrounding tables and four refrigerators were well stocked with pop and juice. These folks know how to host a dinner!
The only thing that can stop a teenager at play is the mention of food. When the BBQ dinner was ready, the fields barren in an instant, and the tables were filled with happy students getting their fill, with lively conversation still buzzing of course.
As dinner wound down, it was time to say our formal farewell and thanks. Heidi provided an eloquent and thoughtful thanks to our German hosts, thanking them for all that they have done to make this experience such a special one for our kids. Then, one by one, and fighting back tears (some quite unsuccessfully), our students spoke. They talked of
wonderful group memories that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Group BBQ's at the park, touring Hohenzollern Castle and meeting the Prince, Canoeing the mighty Neckar River (and tipping), Europa Park, shopping with their friends in Stuttgart, all worthy life experiences shared by a wonderful group.
The most powerful portion of their speeches were the experiences and memories they shared about the time they spent with their host families. Every student in our group talked about how welcome and loved they have felt here. They talked of genuinely feeling like part of the family, like siblings to their partners with a second set of parents to take care of them. They shared about taking trips to Lake Constance, the Porsche Museum, Monkey Mountain, and mountain biking between the little towns in the area. They also shared about the experiences they will always cherish, like playing board games in the evening with the whole family, and about all of the time spent lingering at the dinner table after the meal, just talking and enjoying eachothers company. Those are the experiences that you wouldn't get with a typical European vacation. Those are the memories that will last a lifetime.
And those experiences are what is going to make it so difficult to say goodbye tomorrow morning.
Once eyes were dried and emotions reeled back into check, dessert was served and after it was thoroughly and quickly enjoyed, the soccer balls, footballs and sounds of activity filled the air once again.
The host parents relaxed and chatted as the kids continued to play. Nobody left. Everyone lingered until well after the sun set. It was only the darkness that brought an end to this farewell dinner, because nobody truly wanted to say farewell. We lingered as long as we could in this beautiful place, with our wonderful friends, but now it is time to say goodbye as this exchange comes to a bittersweet end.
We will meet at school to catch the bus as a group one last time tomorrow morning. It promises to be an emotionally charged ride to the train station. We will depart for Paris at 8:49am, 11:49pm Seattle time. We should arrive in Paris at about noon on Saturday for the next leg of this European adventure.
From Heidi and I, as well as all of our American Students, thank you from
the very bottom of our hearts for the warm kindness, generosity and caring that you have shown us here. It was an incredible experience and we are so very thankful for all that you have done.
"How Lucky I Am To Have Something That Makes Saying Goodbye So Hard" -Carol Sobieski
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Bob Cesena
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A view from across the pond
Ben, Thank you for sharing over the past few weeks. I look forward to observations and images each day. Some were simply amazing! Speaking for myself and Tamara, words cannot come close to explaining the appreciation we have for you including our child in this event. Carson has been many places around the globe, but always with a parental leash. I expect he will see this one differently...possibly "Born Again" when he returns home. If not, that is ok too. Again, thank you --- Bob