Parts of expat life are like petals on a flower: including leaving behind family and friends, and making new friends. Traditions and routines are modified. Another petal on the flower of expat living is saying “so long” to friends you’ve made in the new community.
One of my well-traveled, “trailing spouse” friends hosted a so long or, in Arabic, Ma’a Salama, party for one of the ladies whose time here has ended. There were 18 ladies in attendance as we read a self-penned poem to the guest of honor. Love filled the room: we laughed, hugged and ate. Truly deep friendships come from sharing this special time together.
As the flower blooms, so do our relationships. Husbands and wives get closer. Children make new friends. Note: as I type, our daughter is bonding and visiting a historic neighboring city for two days with her classmates. And of course, the wives/mothers make new friends with women from other parts of the world. I enjoy coffees, walks, lunches and dinners with women who, were it not for this expat experience, I would never had met.
Have you made a new friend today?
Aloha,
Denise
