Goodbye: Rounds One, Two, Three, Four…

Yesterday was my official three-weeks-left mark. A lot can happen in three weeks (and a lot will, but that will all be for future blogs), but it won’t happen around Union Christian College, Chacko Homes, or the colony. No, I have finished my assignments at the college, shifted my suitcases out of my room, and sang my last songs with the children.

It has been a whirlwind week of goodbyes. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been so full and so busy that I’ve barely had time to stop and think of what I’m actually saying when I utter that word.

On Tuesday, I was given a small send-off at the college. I partook in a special tea, accepted a small gift, and listened to several people (the principal, the manager, and several professors I’ve worked with) say really nice things about me. I could have listened to them talk like that all day long, but I had somewhere else to be immediately following.

It was Tuesday, the day when Sodari Kochamma comes to lead songs at Chacko Homes. I have sung with them often throughout the year, and I had promised to do it one last time this week. We usually sing a mixture of English and Malayalam songs, but, in my honor, we sang only in English this week. And, to close out the session, Kochamma led the ladies in “God Will Take Care of You.” And he will – in India, in America, in Timbuktu; and who knows, I might go there next. But before that, of course, India needs closure.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was my official last day at the college. I sorted out my computer files and cleaned out my desk. When that was finished, I sat in the office and just waited for the normal people to drop by so we could say goodbye and exchange well wishes. And then, I shut my computer down and walked out of my little office for the very last time.

I headed straight to Jenika’s house, where her host mother and neighbor were busy stirring sauces that made the house smell like an Indian heaven. Molly Kochamma and Sara Kochamma have been just like family to both of us, and, in one last grand gesture of motherly love, they were preparing a feast for Jenika and me. We ate like we hadn’t seen food all year; as we lay down to sleep, our tummies were happy, but our hearts were heavy – and not from all the food.

In the morning, for one last time, I made that familiar trip from Jenika’s place to mine. And, for the rest of the day, I continued to do things “for one last time.” I ate breakfast at Chacko Homes for one last time. I played rummy with the ladies for one last time. I visited my favorite CH residents for one last time. And the day went on like this.

This afternoon, I went to the YWCA in the colony for another send-off program. Once again, I partook in a special tea, accepted a small gift, and listened to several people say really nice things about me. Then some of my favorite children sang the songs I had taught them during our summer program and sent me on my way with smiles, waves, and “Ta-Ta Auntie”s. And, as sad as it was to walk away from them today, I did it with a smile on my face.

I went right back to Chacko Homes for my final send-off – a program I had arranged as a thank-you to them for their kindness. They wouldn’t have required it, of course. These people made up my family this year, and it’s not necessary to be so formal with family members. Still, I wanted to show my gratitude in a special way, so I put together a slideshow of the many experiences I was able to capture with my camera this year. In this way, in my last 20 minutes with them, they were able to see me in Thekkady and Bangalore; at the Ganges River and the Taj Mahal; with my American parents and my Indian brothers and sisters. The pictures I showed needed no explanation, for, in each and every one, my smile said all that needed saying.

When the slideshow was over, I went on with my evening as normal; but in everything I did, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that it was for one last time. I ate supper in the Chacko Homes dining room for one last time. I watched TV with my neighbor, Philip, for one last time. I sat through a short power cut for one last time. And soon, I’ll turn out the light, lie down in bed, and fall asleep to the soft hum of the ceiling fan in room #10 of Chacko Homes for one last time.