I came to Southeast Asia 2 years ago
And I came with a lot of baggage.
Back then, I thought I had so little.
I realize now, that it was too much.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving a lot of it behind
my motorbike
my laptop
I want these things to stay in Laos
as gifts to friends.
I'm also leaving behind
my insecurities
my materialism
I want these things to stay in Laos
as gifts to my King
I came with two bags. I'm going back home with one.
Yes, I'm taking some things back with me:
some books, some clothes, some electronics.
but more valuable than the things, I'm taking back memories
crunching down on my first stir-fried cricket
the flopping fish and giant beef livers at the morning market
being showered with dust in an all day pickup truck ride
the smell of an imminent torrential downpour in July
running barefoot down a steep mountainside in the rain
taking a bucket shower in my underwear, outside, in the cold, at night.
the sweetness of a just-picked mango
and most importantly, I'm taking back relationships
church members: who taught me how to give
my neighbors: who always had time for me even when I didn't
my teammates: who accepted me just as I am
my students: who were patient with me while I became a better teacher
the things I leave here, I want to leave behind for good
and the things I take back home, I want to keep forever
