I can really only recall two times in my life where I have been picked up and planted in a strange world where I knew no one around me. You know you have moments in your life where you will remember that time until the day you die? Days that have changed your life and impacted who you are today. Days where you could tear up just thinking about the emotions you experienced on that day.
Day #1 for me was the day I went to my brand new school in 6th grade. My family moved from a small town to a big town in the middle of the school year and I left all I had ever known my entire life (which to a 6th grader is huge) and was trying to move on. I don't remember being mad about moving like some kids are and I don't remember hating my parents for taking me away from my friends. What I do remember, and will for the rest of my life, was my first day at my new school. I was so scared and nervous the day my mom took me to Quail Valley Middle School. I knew no one. We got me all checked in and then some 8th grade office helper walked my mom and I down the halls to my first class at my new school. After what seemed like forever we arrived at the choir room (how funny that I was in choir for 2 months of my life!!!) and it was there that I had my “moment” that I'll never forget. I looked at my mom and with tears in my eyes asked her not to leave me. I told her that I couldn't do it. I couldn't walk into this room in the middle of class. Honestly going back to that day still brings tears to my eyes. I felt so alone and helpless in that moment. As you can guess my mom left me there and life went on. I did fine and never was in choir again!
Day #2 was the day my parents left me for college at Dallas Baptist University. Once again just like the above scene I as at a new place and knew NO ONE. My parents had gotten me all moved in to my new dorm. The bed was made and books on the bookshelves and it was time for them to leave me. I remember that same feeling in my stomach of feeling as though I can't do this alone. I know no one. I am lost. I have never been here and my two constants in my life (my parents) are leaving me here alone. This time isn't as dramatic in my mind because I was 18 years old and much more confident in making friends and being okay, but still it was a moment in time where I felt my world stop and the reality of my aloneness set in.
In all reality these moments are nothing compared to ways that others are transplanted in their lives. I think about my kids that joined us via adoption from Haiti and how in a matter of hours their lives were forever changed. They entered a world they knew nothing about and left all they had ever known behind. Some would say that since they gained so much in their new life that it shouldn't be hard or sad that they left their old world. I beg to differ, but that's a post for another day ……
This post was inspired by this month's FROM LEFT TO WRITE book club selection TINY SUNBIRDS, FAR AWAY by Christine Watson where the main character, Blessing, experiences the same thing. Due to family circumstances her life is picked up and moved to a community where she knows no one and feels very different and left out. Her journey is one that you will enjoy as you laugh, cry and rejoice with her along the way.
I received my copy of this book as part of my membership in the From Left to Write Book Club. Instead of critical reviews, we write posts inspired by the book we've read.
LIKE this book on facebook, follow Christie Watson on twitter, and while you're at it, follow FROM LEFT TO WRITE book club on twitter as well!
What have you had to leave behind? Do you remember a day where you were in a new world and felt all alone? Leave me a comment about it and I'll chose one winner to get a free copy of this book. (contest ends Wed 5/25 at midnight)
holy canole. you went to quail valley middle school!!!??? we went to lantern lane elementary and were plucked out of missouri city and moved to san antonio just in time to start at a new middle school there. we would have gone to quail valley middle school — lived on the 9th fairway of quail valley golf course!
didn’t know a soul at that new school except my sister. we didn’t want to be in any classes together but i was SO relieved when i walked into 4th period and there she was.
felt the same aloneness two other times:
1. first day of college at trinity university
2. first day once my husband went back to work and i was alone with my daughter. i had no idea what i was doing (still don’t, but don’t tell her that!)
It felt strange to move as a family after college. Our first staff job in a new city what definitely overwhelming.
I have a similar college memory. It was my first night and I knew no one. My roommate, who I knew, had been in a serious car accident on the way to move in and was in the hospital. My parents left me and I remember, despite being so excited and ready to start college, I cried. My mom forgot something and came back to the room and found me crying. Of course she started crying. It was a mess. But as you said, life went on and it got better. I still have dear friend from school and eventually met me husband through a friend at college. 🙂
I have moved so many times in my life…at about 24 times in all!! Each time I had to start over in a new place it was hard!! There would be the mix of fear, and even a bit of excitement!! I look back and can see Gods hand in my life even before I was saved, but as I became a Christian I was so much more aware of it. He always brought me new friends!! Once the dawn of internet came, I was an adult so it was so much easier. Because it is so much easier to stay in touch. But before that, it was wonderful to get letters from a place of comfort.
Now, that we are on the brink of becoming foster parents…I see this all in new eyes! These poor kids being wrenched from all they know. Even if it was horrible, it was home!! So, God is definitely teaching me new things of changes and new beginnings. Thanks for your blog and this give away!! I will be checking this book out wheather I win it or not!!
uuummmm…all of 2010?!? Moving to San Jose, CA (another world compared to TX); adjusting to our new family with the addition of Miss Gwen, and without community, friends or family, still recovering, ha ha
I felt pretty lonely when I moved to Iowa for an internship this past semester. In fact, I cried the whole way to the airport to fly there. For some reason unknown to me, I accepted a full-time position in Iowa and will be moving there more permanently in 2 weeks. I do have more friends there now than when I first got there, but I am still dreading leaving my family and friends in Texas!
I remember my first day of college. Standing outside my dorm room with my Dad as he was about to leave. I looked at him and said “Dad, I don’t remember how to make friends…” I was so scared to be all alone in Virginia while my family lived in El Salavdor and my friends in Texas. I was so sure I could do this months ago but when the moment came to say good bye I turned back into a little girl. A moment I will never forget.
The good news I survived and loved college! haha
When my dad drop me of for college in Boston and went back to Germany. I knew no one and wasn’t even familar with the culture or anything (oh yes we are very different).
I had the very same life transitions – a big move in 6th grade, and then doing to college where I didn’t know anyone. Both had a major effect on me, and both were a very hard transition that ended up to be positive.
We moved during my 7th grade year and I was homeschooled at the time. We moved away from our friends and our church and I was so lonely. We convinced my mom to let us go back to school, even though there were only a few months left of the school year. I was glad to be among peers, but it was weird to be at a school, in junior high, when I hadn’t been at one since 4th grade.
This book club sounds UH-MAZING.
Congrats to Kristen!!!
Here are your random numbers:
9
You’ll get your book soon!!!