Goodbyes

Saying goodbye is not easy; Jeanne-Marie’s lacrimal gland worked harder in the 5 days leading up to us leaving than in the previous 5 years! Some of the more moist occasions:

• Final assembly at Clarendon Prep: Jeanne-Marie was given a present from the school, and she handed a present to Mrs Keth; both in tears on the stage. One little girl outside afterwards inconsolable, barely could be prised off Jeanne-Marie.
• Handing a picture over to the music department teachers in Mrs Henn’s office at Clarendon Primary. These teachers have been wonderful to both Jaime and Gabi, and the school’s music department is flourishing as a result of their passion and dedication.
• The ‘goodbye’ parties at our home: for about 40 colleagues on the Friday night and 70 friends on Saturday. Too many people to be able to spend much time with individually.
• Our dog, Duke, is now in the hands of the Alexanders: he seemed to be just so happy moving in with them.
• Tiger, the cat, ran away from her new house, so we had to fetch her again. She is now still at home, but will be fed by the Fryers; and the new tenants will look after her when they move into our house in a few weeks.
• Goodbyes to our neighbours, the Cooks and the Fryers, who have a long list of things to do.
• At the airport, where the farewells were delayed right up till the time we went through to the departures hall.

I don’t know how we’d have coped if we had to have another farewell to Jeanne-Marie’s family; we’ll be seeing Mark’s family in the UK in a week, so that one has been delayed!

The children each had their own farewells arranged by some of their friends. The Taylors, Carters, Tebbuts and Hounsells were all there for us. People have been wonderfully supportive. None more so that Brian and Teresa Breetske, who lent us their car for 2 weeks prior to us leaving, cooked meals for us, put us up in their house, took us to the airport and did innumerable other things for us.

Thanks to all of you.