So long, Farewell, Auf Wiederseh'n, Goodbye

There’s a unique word in the German language for which there is no English equivalent. The word is Morgenmuffel. Put simply, it means “morning grouch”. I’m not sure who coined this term and for whom exactly it was originally created, but I can say it is a wonderful descriptor for me.

Recently, just past midnight, I sat mindlessly staring at the glare of images flashing across the television screen. This was not an uncommon occurrence. Evenings are my time of rest and I truly cherish them. By the time I finally get to relax, the night is setting in. I consistently procrastinate bedtime; I dread mornings. Never feeling truly awake, I instead feel lethargic and unmotivated. I don’t want to face the tasks of a new day. I just finished a day a few hours ago! I’m never ready for “good night” because I don’t want to face the morning. Sometimes, it just feels overwhelming.

Good night is described by Mirriam-Webster as a “term used to express good wishes in the evening especially when someone is leaving or going to sleep”. Good night in many ways is quite similar to goodbye. It’s an ending in preparation for a new beginning. Despite my disdain for the rise of each day, I am appreciative of its arrival. Morning offers a new start and new opportunities.

Tomorrow, our little apartment in Clarksville, TN will get packed by movers in preparation for our move overseas. Next week, we will embark on a new adventure living in Wiesbaden, Germany. It’s understandable that this is an emotional and stressful time. We have spent countless hours planning travel, researching our new city, studying resources, and preparing our belongings for the anticipated move. There are so many questions associated with this transition. Questions like, what if our furniture and household belongings don’t make it to Germany until much later than expected? When will I sell my car? Where will we stay once we’re out of our apartment? Did we cancel the internet? Then there’s questions like, will I like the food in Germany? Will I make new friends? How will I maintain relationships with the ones I’m leaving here in Tennessee?

While some of these questions need to be asked and are important and necessary, some of them can’t be answered. Whatever the question, collectively, they start to cause worry and fear. If I become consumed by the worry of all of the unknown, I’ll miss out on the other really important aspect of this move, the incredible opportunities and the new experiences it offers!

Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” Instead of worrying about tomorrow or how we’ll manage in a new city, I want to find peace with the uncertainty and find joy in unexpected moments. Although overwhelming at times, I know I can face the challenges of tomorrow because I have already persevered through today.

The boxes will be packed. The trucks will be loaded. We will make our way across the pond to settle into a new home. All of these things WILL happen, just as sure as the night will settle in and then expire as the sun presents itself once again. It cannot be avoided. But it can be embraced.

I don’t imagine I’ll wake up tomorrow with vigor for the day to come. However, I am going to be intentional about my mindset and try to worry less so that I can enjoy the opportunities before me. This ending leads to new beginnings.

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiederseh'n, Goodbye.