What do you do on your last day in Paris? At first I surveyed the list of things that I still have yet to do tacked on my wall. The piece of cardboard stared back at me with its faded traces of highlighter marks, crossed-out locations, and the occasional asterisks that put some order to it...
Being the ISFJ that I was, I began to make a list of all the things that I could possibly squeeze into one day. Then I realized, this is my last day. The museums, the shops, and the parks that I wanted to visit will most likely always be here. But the people? It started to hit me that we are all going back to our lives in the States and that I will never be able to live this moment again with them--our memories and experiences that no one else would completely understand back home.
Thus, I ended up lounging around on the grass by the foyer with some of my closest friends as we looked back on our semester abroad. What a relaxing day. It was not what I had planned, but it was simply perfect. From the wonderful company of friends, to the sunshine, the food, the music, and the conversations, I could not have asked for more.
I know I will be going home to a lot of "What was it like?" and other questions related to my experience abroad, but I can't even wrap my head around the fact that it all even happened. It's almost 5 in the morning right now as I type...the black sky has turned a shade of midnight blue and the birds are already chirping outside. The streets are still quiet, but I know in about two hours the clattering garbage truck will make its usual rounds and wake up the usual sleepers. The sun will come up and smile upon this city again, and everything will go as it usually does on Fridays. Meanwhile, one more resident will be picked up by the shuttle and she will press her head against the window to capture every inch of the city en route to the airport.
My stomach is up in the air right now. I'm at the tip of the roller-coaster right before the plunge. I don't know what to expect or how I will feel going back down. At least I know that everything I left behind will be the same and that there are others who will take part in this incredible ride after me. As of now, I'm going to throw my hands up in the air and praise the God who guides me through every turn.
I know that there's a great thrill awaiting me as I descend, and quite frankly, I'm excited.
Thank you to all my prayer partners throughout these past 6 months.
And merci mille fois, mon Dieu. Tu es vraiment bon.
