Saying Goodbye to Amal: A Mix of Emotions
Douglas Adams once said, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.” It’s a natural rule that when you first arrive at a place, you may feel unsettled, but as time goes on and it becomes time to leave, that same place can make you feel at home.
After a long session on Saturday, everything was being wrapped up. I knew it was coming to an end, but I didn’t expect to feel like I was losing something. Sunday was going to be our last session, but I wasn’t supposed to attend because I needed a break. So I said goodbye to my peers and facilitators, and I returned home exhausted. I took a two-hour nap, but when I woke up, I still felt like I was going to miss something important, and that was the last session—an actual goodbye session.
I had a feeling of missing out on something and not being able to see it or be a part of it. There was something that drew me back to the last Amal session, even though I had an exam coming up on Monday. The farewell photos from the previous day lingered in my mind, and a strange feeling of sadness nudged me to attend against my initial decision. Believe it or not, three months just flew by very quickly. It is not the period that counts; it’s the memories that matter that are significant. At first, I did not want to go back, but the time spent, the people I met, and the memories I made made my way back.
Us
I cannot express the feeling of being at Arid with my fellows for the last time. I realized, Oh, it’s the last day, and I was never going to relive it. Let me be honest: I never hugged a single fellow or even shook hands before that, but I did that day. I felt a warmth that I had never felt before—a sense of belongingness. The last session was not like the usual one. The day was different, and the air smelled that day. On the last day, we had our black dresses on, as it was the theme. The day unfolded with laughter and a bunch of fun activities, leading to some deep reflections on our Amal journey and, finally, our fellows on a short trip, but I missed it, sadly. People poured their hearts out, and it turned into a surprisingly sentimental gathering afterward.
Even though we scattered physically after that, we’re still glued together through our WhatsApp group, LinkedIn, and Facebook. It’s not just a professional network; it’s like a space where we share victories and back each other up. The connections feel real, and my promise to stay connected with everyone stands strong. Amal, it’s more than a learning thing; it’s like finding a second family. The support and camaraderie we built during the program are like a family dynamic.
But what made Amal truly special was hanging out with people from all walks of life. It opened up my world and gave me lessons in talking and working with all kinds of people. As I look back on this wild ride, I’m just grateful for the Amal crew. The lessons I snagged in these three months are like little gems, lighting up my path for what’s next. Amal didn’t just load me up with skills; it handed me a gang of forever friends and this feeling of being where I belong. Massive thanks for this unforgettable ride!
