Wednesday, August 17, 2022

How Do You Say Goodbye in German?

Answer:  Auf Wiedersehen

The real question is How Do You Say Goodbye When You Don't Want To?

JP (age 19) left for his semester abroad in Austria, where he will be studying at an 800+ year old monastery through Franciscan University.  


This is also the spot where Phil and I met in January 2000.  It is an absolutely magical semester spent travelling through Europe and I am so very excited for JP's adventures.

But we will miss him so much, I mean just look at our bookends saying goodbye:


Over the weekend, one of my brother's family and one of my sister's family were able to come spend the day and it was nice for JP to see them before he left.  We got pizza and ate it at the lighthouse:


Then headed to the ice cream shop where JP has been working over 40 hours a week all summer.  Seriously, that kid worked hard to earn money to spend travelling this fall.  They have four days of classes with 3 day weekends for students to travel.  The whole school goes on a few trips together, including Rome and Assisi for a week, but other than that, students are on their own to make plans.  JP is hoping to go to Greece for his 10 Day break which will include multiple train and plane tickets.  But YOLO!!

We had one last family dinner with Gammy and Grandpa before he left.

Because I know you're interested - grilled pork chops, roasted cauliflower, rice pilaf, applesauce, and that beautiful fruit dessert from my mom.


I woke up at 5:30 the next morning and couldn't fall back asleep knowing I would have to say goodbye to JP, so I did what any normal mom would do... stress-bake.


Again, because I know you want to know - Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.

Then we woke up JP, packed up the car and said our final "Auf Wiedersehen".




Some of us had a harder time letting go than others ;)

Before he left, so many kind family members and friends and coworkers gave him gifts to help him in his travels.  JP is very loved and extremely grateful for all he receives.  I gave him a keychain of Saint John Paul to hang on his backpack. 



I hope that our John-Paul will have as much fun as his namesake, skiing the alps and travelling around Poland in his footsteps.  We love you to the moon and back JP, and will pray for you daily.  As the Austrians say, “Grϋß Gott” (God bless you).  Have so much fun, and don't forget...

16 comments:

  1. Hoping JP has a fantastic and life-changing set of adventures. Reading this is already making me teary for similar experiences in my future. My kids still seem so young...but really, the clock ticks by so fast (at least in retrospect). Can't wait to hear updates of his time abroad.

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    1. It goes so fast, especially once they start high school but they are enjoyable at every stage!!

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  2. Oh exciting for him! I know he is going to have a wonderful time. And perhaps meet his future spouse? :) I'll be praying for safe travels for JP and peace for your heart.

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    1. Thank you for the prayers, I truly am more excited for him than sad for me :)

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  3. #1 I Love that skiing JPII Tiny Saint. I have one and I love it so much I haven't taken it out of the packaging. You are prompting me to do that. It's the perfect reminder to your JP to have a wonderful holy adventure this year.

    #2 He is going to grow and experience so much. As difficult as it is for him to be gone, I cannot wait to hear about his time in Austria which means you have to be bursting with pride and excitement for him as well. (Even if the more practical sadness emotion is winning right now.)

    #3 I am pretty sure you said JP had a girlfriend at school, but wouldn't it just be so ridiculous awesome if he met the love of his life over there?! We're all* thinking it. It'd be right out of a novel or a movie. *We all being your blog readers.

    #4 JP will be part of my prayer intentions, as will your hearts as parents, until he is safely home with his stories to tell. Hang in there mama!!

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    1. #1 It really is so cute and I love thinking about JP with his mini JP travelling together.

      #2 I'm way more excited than sad :)

      #3 Soooooo he does have a girlfriend, and they will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary of dating together in Austria!

      #4 Thank you for the prayers and I'm sure his travels will be a regular part of the blog, much more exciting than anything we've been doing!

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  4. Isn't this exciting? Doing something outside the norm? Perhaps learning how differently other people live? I say YAY! I'm all for this.

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    1. Soooooo exciting! Chance of a lifetime :)

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  5. I hope JP has a fantastic time! I'm in the same boat, Colleen. I said goodbye to my oldest daughter last week for a 10 month study abroad program in Germany. I know she will have an amazing time but I miss her so much! --Jenny

    Jenny

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    1. Wow 10 months is long! JP will be home at the beginning of December. It's sure hard to let them go, but they will totally flourish :)

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  6. I'm laughing so hard at your photo with him; I get it! We never want to let go. I hope he has the BEST adventure and I'm kind of jealous: GREECE?
    Hey, maybe he will come home with a "Colleen" just like Phil did. 😜❤️

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    1. Heehee he is going with his girlfriend, so that would probably be awkward ;)

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  7. What an absolute adventure JP will have! My mother was born and raised in Germany. We lived there several years when I was a child when my dad was stationed there in the Air Force. Love Germany!

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    1. He's in Austria, but hopefully will spend a weekend in Germany :)

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  8. How exciting! I also had a semester at the Kartause and i don't think i thought much about how my dear mother felt saying goodbye. I was so thrilled to be having an adventure. Is it easier to travel over there now? I felt sorry for the kids going the last 2 years with so many restrictions on travel.

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    1. I hope his travels will be smooth sailing, though the bus broke down from the airport to the Kartause, so who knows - ha!

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