My Heart Is Broken

[Pacifist Patriot]

Foreign exchange students are so worth the emotional risk. I sent my beautiful 17 year old Spanish son home this morning. Only a month out of our lives and he made such an impact.

Forget the fact that he is polite, well-mannered, helpful, respectful, has great taste in music and movies, loves his mother, can't stand Bush, and has a generally optimistic view of life.

My children and community had the opportunity to meet wonderful people whose speech they cannot understand, but whose hearts beat much the same as ours. I wish more people had the ability and desire to participate in such programs. I've been crying all day long, but I wouldn't trade a day with Fernando for the world.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Pacifist Patriot...

And I am likewise sure that Fernando is crying too....even though he is happy to be going home...

You have done a wonderful thing...

He will never forget having been your son for that incredible month...

:hug:

[Xipe Totec]

2. It's so hard to let go...

We just couldn't.

A boy from Russia entered our lives 15 years ago, very much the same way.

We brought him back, put him through college, adopted him (adult adoption; does not count for citizenship), found him a job and now, again, it is time to say goodbye. He is striking out on his own; ready to stand on his own two feet.

And it is still hard to let go.

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. And what a heartbreaker he is!

What a great thing you did opening your home to him so he could see that all Americans are not like Bush.

We had an exchange student from Italy my senior year. Claudio was an awesome guy. I have heard he is a lawyer in Rome now.

[lizziegrace]

4. A beautiful tribute

I'm sure he's saying the same about you and your family in the language he knows best. :hug:


I've been wondering where you went.

[LostinVA]

5. That's very sad and I hope you feel better soon

Have you gotten our invitation yet? I know it'll make you feel better.

Seriously though, I know how much fun you were having with them.

:hug:

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. You mean you haven't gotten the response card yet?!

It went out the next day. Seriously. LOL!

[LostinVA]

7. It's going to Haruka's parents house

We'll be moving up to NJ shortly

[EFerrari]

8. I know! We had a student from Portugal with us for two years.

He was like a third son and we still miss him. I'm sure he's running a planet somewhere by now.

Andale, Carlos!

:hug: