Loss at Christmas
If I have learned anything about being a human for just over three decades, it is that life is complicated. Really complicated. Few events are limited to just one or two emotions or thoughts, and few things are as simple as we long for them to be. It would be so easy if we could just slap a label or two on everything—good—happy. Bad—sad. Easy—enjoyment. Hard—determination. But even good things are often mingled with worries, fears, or regrets. Bad things can be shot through with strands of hope and joy. Part of the great gift of humanity is our ability to see more than just what is happening, but to experience the whole tapestry of life. Leaving the mission field (for now anyway!) was both the hardest and the easiest thing I have ever done. I’ve been told by more than one person that it was really brave of me to leave. On the one hand, yes, I guess it did take a lot of courage to admit that things weren’t right and I needed to leave, and to know that leaving meant walking