By Brianna Nalley
It’s with mixed emotions and a heavy heart that I say goodbye. It’s bittersweet because I’m not ready to leave this place, these people, or this season. The last nine months have been filled with such a sweet joy. Sure, there have been challenges mixed in, but what a gift it is to fully live.
When you do life with people you get used to them being present. You become accustomed to the ways they challenge you to grow and the ways they encourage you. If you’re lucky, you also get used to the ways they get under your skin as well, but you choose to love them regardless because you love their heart and they love yours. This is a small glimpse into what life as a fellow has been like. So many beautiful people have been pouring into, challenging, and championing us while we learn to do the same for each other. For this, I say thank you.
Thank you, St. Francis in the Fields, for showing us how to love, not with words, but with the way you’ve welcomed us into your homes, fed us, shared your hearts, etc. You have taught me to be bold but gentle. You have taught me to be persevering and joyful. You have taught me to be generous with my heart and my gifts. You have taught me to love and be loved.
Thank you to Father Clint, Father Raleigh and Mother Barbara for the way you lead. Your leadership is producing fruits of love, kindness, and generosity, seen so clearly in the members of St. Francis. Clint, you taught me to stand firm, yet be gentle in my beliefs. Barbara, you have taught me to be passionate and educated. Raleigh, you have taught me to always spread joy.
Thank you to sweet Theresa for the way you have brought us all together, the fellows as well as St. Francis, and the greater Louisville. You have taught me how to be confident in my own skin. You’ve taught me to slow down and be present even when life is quickly spinning around me.
Thank you to the fellows who have shown me what freedom looks like; freedom to be me and be loved, freedom to be vulnerable and be heard. Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for challenging me to continue pressing in.
Thank you, Lord, for the pain in my heart. The pain is a testament to the beauty you have filled my life with and the blessings you have showered upon me. The difficult goodbye points to the goodness that came with hello. Thank you for this brief season in eternity. I pray that we would not forget the lessons we have learned nor the friendships we have built. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you that your plan is better than mine. Thank you for making me a Louisville Fellow.