Tonight I had my last Azerbaijani meal in Azerbaijan. It included stolichnaya, mimoza, and chicken salad. Also, we had plenty of bread, feta cheese and greens. Finally, it was complete with 3 types of kebabs. My thoughts went back to some of the first times that I had similar meals here. The white/feta cheese we affectionately call "stinky" cheese. That is what Noah called it when we first came and he was just 3 years old. He LOVED it but yet thought it was stinky so the name has stuck with us. I had many memories of many kebab cookouts often followed by local dancing. (one of my personal favorite things to do here in AZ) I remember one of my very early language lessons we made the Stolichnaya salad in order to practice language. I was in charge of bringing the carrots but I was supposed to bring them cooked. I brought them raw! One of my very many misunderstandings in the language department. I have so many memories of my time here. I guess my fear is that these memories will slowly fade. I guess that is why I'm writing them tonight when I should be getting to bed early as we leave tomorrow evening. I want a written record of the fact that I have loved Azerbaijan and her people with all my heart.
The best part of the night was spending time with some special people. These guys have been a special part of our lives for the last 7 years. We will not forget them. Our hearts hurt as we left the restaurant as we don't know when or if we will ever see these guys face to face again. We are honored and blessed to know them and will forever have them in our hearts. It is days like today I that I think God must have created Facebook and Skype just for people like us. It is of course, not the same as sitting side beside, holding hands or being able to greet one another with a kiss as we often do here but at least I have hope of keeping some contact with them.
I love these dear people.(and many others not pictured above) There is a part of me that feels as though I'm leaving a lot of unfulfilled hopes and dreams here and yet I know that God-given hopes and dreams are not just dependent on me.(which is certainly a good thing!) I know that in my mind but tonight I'm trying to convince my heart.
So today I refuse to say Sağ ol (good bye) to my friends here in Az but instead I simply say helelik(see you).
Oh Chastidy! My heart was just flooded with the emotions of saying goodbye as I read this! Praying for your family as you transition, He is constant when everything is weird and shaky, and He gives grace to really sustain you when your heart misses friends and places so much it hurts! I hope your transition is filled with blessings and laughter and peace. Love you friend!
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