...To Be Continued

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place...like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and place, because you'll never be this way ever again."
- Azar Nafisi
I have roughly 34 hours left in Norway.
I will be home in approximately 46 hours.

I am so excited to see my family and all the beautiful people in the States...but if I'm being honest, being "home" doesn't feel like a real possibility. My reality, my worldview has changed. I've changed-and I don't know how this new Laura fits into life at home...but I'll find out!

It's hard to say goodbye. I hate the feeling of farewells and not knowing the next time you'll meet again (although I am sure we'll meet again!). At the same time however, goodbyes are important too, as they teach us just how important and special the people in our lives are. We are forced to reflect on how these individuals have influenced us and blessed us during our time together, and there's a real gift in that.

This week has been full of goodbyes. I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotion-sorrow at the thought of being away from these people and this beautiful place, anticipation at the thought of seeing my family (!!!), disbelief at how quickly four months have passed, curiosity at the prospect of what lies ahead. It feels very similar to how I felt four months ago, just prior to leaving for Norway and this grand adventure. Leaving home and beautiful things, people, opportunities in trade for new experiences, different people, a fresh outlook. Feeling this way has shown me just how much of a home I have here in Lillehammer, which is a beautiful thing, particularly knowing that even as I return to Minnesota, this home, these people, this experience, will hold a place in my heart that I’ll carry with me as I go.

Like most of my many homes, my sense of place and purpose is largely rooted in relationships here in Norway. As I’ve mentioned several times throughout these reflections, the people I’ve met here have taught me how to accept hospitality, given me permission to share my story and to listen to theirs, and showed me what it means to build community in a new and life-giving way. I’d like to share a little bit about some of these relationships that have blessed me these months:

Anne and Oddgeir, Astrid, Maria, and Magnus. They have been my family and my home base here in Lillehammer. Anne and I have spent many beautiful hours chatting, walking, reflecting on life, faith, pilgrimage, and the beauty that comes when you “dare to share” with one another. Oddgeir has encouraged me on my journey, empowered me and provided me with countless opportunities to be part of the community here in Lillehammer. Astrid, Maria and Magnus have been my playmates (they’re 12, 10, and 7 respectively J): we’ve played together, laughed a LOT, sang and danced. They’ve helped me with my Norwegian and I with their English; we’ve built a very special friendship. This is one of the most beautiful families I’ve been able to be a part of. They are welcoming, gentle with one another, they laugh easily, and they are rooted in a deep appreciation for nature, faith, art, and music. It has been a gift to be a part of that these past few months—and I could say so much more, but for the sake of a readable length post, I’ll keep it brief!

Darin, Ann Christine, Kamilla, Jonas, and Sigrid. The Elvemos have been a blessing on my life on both sides of the pond! We connected at camp a few summers ago, and again this past summer (2010); when they heard I’d be in Norway, they invited me to visit. Going into this experience, this was the travel excursion that I knew I wanted to do—and as I mentioned waaayyy back in February, I did! We spent a wonderful weekend together, laughing and singing, reconnecting and deepening our friendship. I got to sing camp songs, play with beautiful children, have meaningful conversations with two of the wisest individuals I know—such a gift! It has been a blessing to know that there is familiarity here in this place too; knowing that there is a family that I knew prior to departing for Norway that knew I was here, cared for me, and were thinking of me made this an even more meaningful experience. I am so thankful to have been able to visit and get a glimpse of life in Norway through a the lens of these wonderful people!

Silma. This was one of my chance meetings that changed my experience for the better~we bumped into each other at school, she heard me speaking English on Skype and asked where I was from. Turns out, she studied in good old Fargo last semester as an exchange student! Small world, huh? Since that day in March, we’ve met up weekly to walk and talk: about life and love, dreams and ambitions, pros and cons of our respective cultures. There is something fascinating about sharing these conversations with one who has lived in your world for a period, which we both have. Silma has been a true blessing on this whirlwind of an adventure; she has a beautiful soul, a deep sense of independence, an open attitude, and an incredible sense of welcome—I feel so fortunate to have made a true Norwegian connection!

Christina and Daniel. This has been a particularly special friendship for me, as I had very little to do with it’s origin. These two wonderful people happened to be at the Thomas Mass service up at Nordre Al in March when I spoke (I later found out that Anne had suggested that they might be interested in meeting me—yet  another way she has blessed my time!). The three of us chatted a bit after the service and a few days later I received a mail (Norwegian terminology for e-mail!) inviting me to coffee. That chat prompted us to meet several more times throughout the semester, and we have built a lovely friendship. This couple has shown me more about this place that has been home than I could have ever possibly discovered on my own—a feat that is all the more incredible since they’ve only been here for a few months longer than me, as they are from Denmark and are continuing their studies here at HiL. We’ve had beautiful rich conversations; the sort that cause an afternoon to slip away and the words echo in your mind for days afterwards. I am so amazed at these two—they’ve been so good to me, and I am so excited for us to meet again, to sit and talk on the porch, hike through the forest, make music together, or perhaps have another picnic in the hail—yes, that’s alluding to a true story! In other words, they too, have changed me, blessed me, and enriched my time in Norway.

I am so thankful for all these people, along with the countless of others I have met here. These relationships have changed me, educated me, and inspired me, as good friendships ought to do. To think about leaving people causes this annoying thing where water leaks out my eyes to happen (in other words, I am still a crier!), but I know we will be connected in thoughts, e-mails, and someday, reunions! I am certain of that.

I don’t want to leave for all of the many reasons listed above. I don’t want to depart from this awe-inspiring beauty, I don’t want to leave this experience that has changed and challenged me in new and incredible ways. But all good things are so often because they are not permenant. As Oddgeir reminded me on Monday morning, this was to be a four month experience of living abroad—and it has been that. And now it’s time to return home, deepen my roots there, and grow in a new way.

Am I scared that I might lose what I’ve learned? A bit, but I know I will carry these precious memories and experiences with me; after all, they’ve helped to make me who I am at this moment. I’ve grown into myself, and wherever I may be in the world, I’ll always be me—and some bit of me is thanks to Anne, Oddgeir, Astrid, Marie, Magnus, Darin, Ann Christine, Kamilla, Jonas, Sigrid, Silma, Daniel, Christina—and so many others. To quote a dear mentor, boss, coworker, and role model from Moorhead: “God created the world for relationship;” It is safe to say that I have been blessed abundantly with meaningful and life changing friendships, that are to be continued even as I return home TOMORROW!