Only a year

This day last year was a very special day for us. In Finland, it's graduation day and last year, Andy graduated from compulsory school. I remember discussing graduation with Erja, one of our school assistants, the year Josh graduated. She told me every mum cries at their child's graduation. Not being a terribly sentimental type, I assured her that I wouldn't. Of course she was right and half way through one of the songs - "Goodbye Grade 9" or in Finnish, Jäähyväiset, emotion suddenly swept right over me and I became one of many weeping mums. Last year was easier for having the benefit of experience but also much, much harder because it was my leaving day too and the next in a series of steps towards us leaving Oulu.

This week, various friends have posted statuses and invitations relating to graduation parties. Of course, I celebrate with them from afar but there is also a sadness within me as this special day passes in our absence. It felt strange waking up this morning, knowing that excited children are already in the school hall, singing, doing speeches and preparing to receive their report cards... and I'm not there with them. I wonder what kind of year it has been for my old class. Inevitably, some of them will have moved on, moved to another country, maybe home or maybe somewhere new.

As I bring my thoughts back to where I am now, I am filled with gratitude that the boys had the experience and the privilege of living in Finland and going to school there. I think back to Josh's graduation day, when Andy suddenly appeared as the school drummer and then I think of last night, the fundraising event we attended, where part way through the night, he leapt at the chance to play the drums. Now he has a great friend who is a drum teacher, who gives him lessons after music practice. Three years ago, he had no expert to teach him - just a music teacher who saw a talent and encouraged him to practise and set up little mini-bands to provide opportunities.

So often, both boys, but mainly Andy can be heard speaking in Finnish voice. He is such a mimic and he still takes off his old homeroom teacher, with his deep monotone voice and strange Finnglish grammar. It's a bit of fun but I sense it comes from affection for the teachers that guided him through his final years of school.

In the last year, it seems that so much has changed but we are still touched by the good and the bad that we experienced in Oulu. In as much as a part of me will always remain there, I'm beginning to enjoy being here too. Maybe this is what it means to be a TCK - third culture kid... only I'm a third culture adult.