Last Saturday we went to Cambridge to say good-bye to our old home and some great friends. We had fantastic weather which has not at all been guaranteed this summer. We met the Tuckwells at Lammas Land had a picnic, jumped in the paddling pool, and even managed one last Anderson Boys vs Tuckwell Boys (dads included) Football Match. They won, but with the addition of Eliot to our family we think we will have a chance in a few years when our boys outnumber theirs!
In the late afternoon we headed over to city centre and enjoyed one last walk through the beautiful streets. I have so many memories pushing Jack through those streets six years ago as a new mom/mum. It wasn't nearly as peaceful this Saturday with seven kids in tow, but it was just as beautiful - a beautiful mess!
The mess was manifested when we grabbed ice creams and enjoyed them in St. John's College gardens while we watched punters go by. We had numerous people take our picture sitting there - we must have been a sight - seven kids with ice cream dripping down all body parts. Well, to be accurate, our kids were messy, but the Tuckwell kids in true Tuckwell fashion were as tidy as could be!
Progression of trying to get our kids to all smile at the camera:
On our way back to the car, we had one last unplanned sight to see and that was a rather intoxicated man bridge jumping. This involves climbing out of your punt onto the bridge you are getting ready to cross under, over the bridge, and then jumping back into your boat as it comes back on the other side. As Charles keeps pointing out we don't know for certain that this man was drunk, but I am fairly confident that you would not do this sober. It was entertaining and a good example to Jack of what 'drunk' means since he had recently asked about this when reading the Bible.
All in all, it was a fabulous day. But even more important, it was a fabulous three years in Cambridge. Part of our heart will always be there because of how many rich memories we have - primarily of becoming parents.; but also of arriving and experiencing deep loneliness and then watching God surprise us beyond our imagination with friends that are just so very special and dear to us - friends that have truly become like family.
As I watched the kids exchange hugs in the car park, not really understanding how long 'you will not see these people for a long time' really means, tears welled up in my eyes. Good tears. Something wouldn't be right if we had lived in a country eight years and were not sad to leave it. And so to the Tuckwells, and many others, we say thank you for being part of our England. You have made it what it is to us.
PS - And yes, Eliot did enjoy the day - he just didn't make it in many of the pictures!
