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China visit 2009 - part 26 - farewell and some final thoughts
October 15:
Now the day of departure had arrived - much too soon as far as Mason and I were concerned. Two of the teachers (Yang Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaohong) and Lucia came to our apartment in the morning to help us with our luggage, etc. and accompanied us to the airport. Because we reached the airport faster than we thought we might, we had time to have lunch together:
But then it was time to go. I had seen dozens of former students and friends - many more than I had dared to hope I would be able to see as well as several of our relatives. Mason had gotten to renew acquaintances with people he had met before and got to know several more.
Mason and I were overwhelmed by all the things that people did to help us and make us feel comfortable. I know we both felt a little guilty at how much trouble everyone had gone to. We will be eternally grateful.
I do not know when there will be another opportunity to return to China, but both of us feel such a strong connection to the country that we want very much to make another trip sometime in the future. People were often surprised when they asked where I felt more at home - the U.S. or China - and I always answered China. I have finally gotten over the readjustment to being back here and not teaching, but those six years at SISU will always be counted as six of the happiest and most fulfilling years of my life.
It is good that we decided to make the trip last fall, because Mason is probably going to begin another consulting job - at a bank in NYC - in the next week or so, and he never would have been able to get a full month off once he started there. Below is one final picture I took of Mason as we waited to board the plane. I think the expression on his face and his body language both express the sadness we were feeling at having to leave.
Both of us send you our many, many thanks and our love.
January 23, 2010 at 7:11 am
Dear Dianne, I hope you and Mason will go to China again!!
January 23, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Granny, even I felt very surprised when you said you felt more at home in China. Although I do understand your deep affection for SISU and China, I was still impressed by this. Since you feel more at home in China, please, please Chang huijia kankan! (pay a visit back home from time to time)
January 23, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Diana and Lydia,
Thank you for your good wishes. It is also the wish of both Mason and me that we will have future opportunities to visit China. Women dou yau chang huijia kankan.