Susan LaffertyBack in the day we studied our stress by listing losses. Marking life experiences.
All the cross-cultural moves. Illnesses. Births. Deaths. Evacuations.
Added up, the numbers were telling.
Stress levels confirmed.
In December, a treasured necklace from Japan falls on the floor. Breaks.
And I get on my knees. Gathering broken pieces. Fragments.
Trying to put the puzzle back together. But it sits.
Incomplete.
So I place what remains in a bowl. Not ready to give up on it yet. Perhaps a shard or two skittered under a cabinet.
Unexpected surrender started with an invitation. Out of the blue. To consider a role in the U.S.
And our immediate thought? No. Can’t be right. Our calling is cross-cultural. Among the nations.
Besides, we weren’t ready to leave South Asia and her people. The place had wrestled its way into our hearts.
Then another ask came. To focus on megacities in South Asia. Surely that’s the one, we thought. Fits our heart and skill set. New city. Same area of the world.
