I know there are some whom do not experience love of any kind. Some who's hearts are hardened by tragedy, a failed marriage, or the loss of the only love they had. Some who have never experienced a true love of any kind. To those I can't comprehend.
I seek out things to love. But the best is in the flesh ~ in spirit ~ in the souls and eyes of those around you. Beauty and love is abundant, even in the desert.
In our expat lives, which to many seems so extravagant and exciting, and for the most part it is, but we have to say good bye many times to people we have fallen in love with. The small ones are always harder, because you don't know when the next time you see them if they will remember Aunt Sherry or Noodle Head.
But we become family. We are not just acquaintances across the world, we are family. There is a special love you can not explain to those to whom you meet abroad. I have said a thousand times I can't wait to be a grandma, but really I have already been one, in make believe.
For those of you that are lucky enough to have made sisters, brothers, or become a pretend grandma, BRAVO!
Please allow yourselves to fall in love. Fall in love with where you are, and who you have become, but mostly fall in love with people. Become someone's aunt, or sister and stay family forever. Your last names might not be the same, but your hearts are bound by the love for one another that is rare. You will be blessed with a very big family in the future.
And if you are really lucky, one of those faux grandkids will come visit you one day when you are least expecting it.
To those of you that have experienced this "hello I love you, good bye don't forget me", lifestyle we have, you get it. We are enriched by all those relationships.
Our paths cross for reasons.
Continue to fall in love.
