If I had to use one word to describe December, it would be "bittersweet." December was indeed, very bittersweet.
At first, it was only sweet. I had the privilege of traveling to the Bahamas with some of the best people I know, and I was also more than ready to go home. But as soon as December 13th came rolling along, it suddenly dawned on me that in 2 weeks time I would be gone, forever. I know it sounds a little melodramatic, but after spending 6 months with friends that have become like family, it is not easy to say good bye. Ironically, the final countdown was an uphill battle. Suddenly, it was very bitter...
The last two days, December 26th and 27th, were the days that I had to say good bye to
all my friends, and it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. Christmas day was my last day
at work. Being away from home and having to work on Christmas day from
10:15-23:00 was brutal...and saying good bye to the best coworkers I've
ever had made it worse...I was such a mess that day. I have no idea what the future brings, but those coworkers have set the bar high, and in that sense I have been spoiled. :)
On the 27th, I
was invited to a Christmas dinner with my friends from Spain. My first Spanish
meal. One of them brought three kinds of cured meat (jamón, lomo, and fuet)
from Spain. His family brought it over while they were visiting a month
ago and he saved it for this day, respect. We also had Spanish tortillas, empanada, ensalada, a hot turkey to name a few. For dessert we had arroz con leche. The meal was delicious and so
authentic, and I felt so blessed that they invited me to share it with
them. Their hospitality and kindness moved me and made me
incredibly emotional. After having to say good bye, I went to watch the Christmas edition of the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom for the last time with my fellow Canadians. If only I had a way to preserve those moments...How
am I so blessed?
I remember one evening, I was on the bus with my Spanish friend, and he told me that it was not a good bye, but a "see you later." So on my last month I've learned one of the most important lessons of all. People come into our lives to brighten our lives, some to teach us lessons, and other to show us who we are. Sometimes, we get to decide who stay in our lives. For those that we can't hold onto, they teach us that "c'est la vie," we still have to move on. Those two nights, I said good bye to some, but a see you later to others. Because I know that if I really wanted to, (and I do,) I will find a way to see them again. But life is all about closing doors and opening new ones. So here's to new doors. Here's to 2014. I know that for myself, it will be a year of surprises.
Thank you Mickey Mouse, thank you Mr. Walt Disney, thank you Mickey's of Hollywood, thank you Sunset Ranch, thank you Canada, thank you Spain, thank you France, thank you Macau, thank you Mexico, thank you Puerto Rico, thank you America, thank you Italy, thank you Britain, and thank you Colombia. I'll never forget what we shared.
I love you all and...see you later :)
