Hellos, Goodbyes, Leaving & Arriving Once Again

Several people have commented on the fact that going home must be far easier than leaving for Lillehammer in January was.

I thought it was going to be; however, I stand corrected.

Prior to departing for Norway, I had little interest in the leaving part. I was happy, comfortable, confident and in control of my life at Concordia & all my little communities. Don't get me wrong, I was very excited to go to Norway; I just didn't want to leave people, places, life behind. I was trading the familiar and the established for a deep dark void of the unknown land of Norway. New places, food, language, scenery, people; no close friends to accompany me, no "safety net." Just newness. Yikes.

So logically, I thought that May 19th would be a long awaited day-and to some degree, it is. It will be wonderful to share my experiences, hug family and friends, visit Moorhead, get ready for SUMMER! But I'm not only going home, I'm leaving-again! Leaving my new friends, my traveling companions, my routine, my home….it’s going to be a huge transition. Another one.

I’ve gotten used to being on the go…to being the outsider, the stranger, the American girl in Norway. I’ve let go of a lot of things, gained a TON of confidence in myself and who I am. I’ve learned to depend on me, rather than everyone around me-don’t get me wrong, I’m still a people person who thrives on having good relationships, but I’ve learned that it’s crucial to be in relationship with myself too. Going home…I’m returning to routine and regular life-a life that I love and have  missed, but I worry that I might forget what I’ve learned or worse, ignore all I’ve discovered.

The thing about home is that it’s familiar and comfortable, which is the exact opposite of what the last four months have been. It’s been an incredible semester, but comfortable is not the first word that I would use to describe the experience of dropping everything, hopping on four planes, skipping seven hours ahead, landing in a foreign land where jeg snakket ikke norske with nine other American students who I didn’t know prior to January 27^th of this year, submitting myself to countless challenges, including learning the art of travel planning, attempting to speak Norwegian, and figuring out the mysteries of how three lovely ladies can share one very small room (and one closet) for four months. Nope, not real comfortable. But it has been amazing.

I’ve seen the Northern Lights, learned to eat brun ost and strawberry jam on my waffles (brown cheese-goat cheese),  been engaged in great conversations, spoken at a Norwegian church, babysat some darling children, taken dance classes for the first time in several years with no obligation of being an instructor. Cross country skiing, coffee drinking (I knew I would love this country when I discovered they have the highest coffee consumption worldwide!), hiking, traveling, cooking, some studying, and countless other things have filled these days, weeks and months. I’ve been to seven countries, seen several dear friends from home, developed new and precious friendships, spoken English, French & even a little Norwegian (Jeg snakker lit norske!). I’ve learned to appreciate my family and friends, my classes, my work and my natural pace to approaching life more than ever before. I’ve lived with nine strangers who have become like my siblings and we’re still getting along and enjoying each other’s company (teasing each other and squabbling like siblings at times, but always looking out for one another).

“Away is a place I’ve romantically created where problems can be figured out, meanings found, and transformative relationships stumbled upon.” Enuma Okoro.

This quote is by one of my favorite authors, and I happened upon her latest blog post this afternoon, and this line jumped out to me. I’ve been away for so long and while I’ve been away, I’ve approached the somewhat daunting task of solving life’s problems, or at least putting them in perspective. I’ve discovered deep meaning in meeting people, the skills developed from exploring new places (I can now read a map, navigate airports and train stations like a pro, and orient myself better than I ever thought possible!). More than anything though, I’ve learned how beautiful relationships are: relationships with self and others.

My relationships look very different to me now than they did a few months ago. Perhaps it’s simply a deeper appreciation or maybe it’s a new sense of openness to creating and fostering community with whoever I happen to be with. Maybe it’s recognizing how those really special friendships are capable of extending across oceans, time zones, and life experiences, even against all odds. Certainly, the magical, God-given gift of friends has become all the more apparent as people have shown up here in Norway, extending grace, hospitality and love to this little Laura. I believe in the power of relationships.

Being away has taught me this-or opened my eyes to this. The challenge now is to remain “away” while remaining rooted in where I am, wherever I am. Lillehammer, Moorhead, Esko, Camp Hiawatha, I am always away from somewhere, while simultaneously being home. I can be present where I’m at, open to the experience of the world, all the while acknowledging how all of these places, people, opportunities have challenged me, shaped me, pushed me, and taught me how to be more fully me.

There’s so much more wandering to do here in Norway, but I only have a few days left. Coming and going, packing, planning and flying. More tales to come of these last few days, but for now, I’m going to enjoy this misty, magical day in Lillehammer and be right where I am for a bit!