We have been in Japan for five years, living and loving life in a wonderful country. But the time came for Doug to end his short military career so we set our sights on moving to Georgia and starting our new life there. So this last year, 2009, I called the Year of Lasts. Our last Halloween on base (2 hours to go through eight bags of candy). Our last Thanksgiving with the Norwoods, (I never had to make the turkey). Our last meal at Wans (raw tuna bruschetta). Our last trip to Kamakura and Tokyo. Our last Leftover Night. But as sad as I was marking those last days in Japan, I was very content and joyful too. We had a good five years in Japan. Heck! We had a great five years in Japan. We've met wonderful people, some whom we call our dear friends. I look forward to seeing them again. We've raised our son in Japan and although he doesn't know Japanese, he does have his own memories of living there. He remembers the Shinkansen, Tea Ceremony, monkeys and shrimp tempura among many others.
But as I write this blog, I realize that I may be mistaken about one thing. Maybe 2009 isn't about the Lasts. It's also about the Firsts too! I could say that the last six months of 2009 have been the first six months of our new lives in Georgia. We moved into our home, made wonderful friends, found two kittens to bring into the family and Zelig started going to his new school.
Yes, 2009 has been a year of transitions. It has been bittersweet but oh so memorable too. I can only hope that 2010 will be as remarkable!
Happy New Year to all our friends and family!
