El español no es fácil para mí.

A Difficult Day

Yesterday was a difficult day for me.

We had our usual Thursday Spanish class with Ignacio. As always, he started out speaking entirely in Spanish. Mikey can keep up with what he’s saying and responds with ease. Me? I just sit there, having no clue what’s being said.

Once we got into the heart of the lesson, things improved a little. We went over the exercises, and I actually did pretty well. The problem is that while I can follow the grammar rules, I have no idea what the sentences actually mean. When Ignacio asks me what something is saying, I just stare into no man’s land. And that makes me feel stupid.

We did another exercise where we had to read a question in Spanish and then respond in Spanish. Mikey handled it with no problem. Me? Once again, nothing. I had no response.

With only five weeks before we leave, I’m scared. I still don’t know much Spanish, and I don’t want to arrive in Uruguay unable to communicate with people. That thought weighed heavy on me all day.

Sorting Through Memories

Later, I started going through the tubs in the attic—the ones filled with Christmas decorations. If you know us, you know we have a lot of decorations.

I know there are certain pieces I want to keep, but that means I have to look at each ornament. Some are easy: look at them, wrap them back up, and put them in the tub. Others, though, bring back memories of our time together as a family, and those are much harder to let go of.

Honestly, letting go of possessions is harder than I ever expected. At first, it seemed easy. I could look around a room and think, I can let go of this, that, and the other thing. But when you’re holding items in your hands—when you’re faced with the reality of what you’re about to give up—it hits differently. It’s hard.

Moving Forward with Hope

Even with the challenges—both with Spanish and with letting go—I know this journey is worth it. Every stumble with the language is still a step toward learning. Every item I let go of is space being made for something new.

It’s not just about saying goodbye to the past. It’s about carrying forward the memories while opening ourselves up to a life filled with fresh experiences.

Yes, some days are heavy. But then I remember why we’re doing this: to build a new chapter together, one filled with growth, adventure, and connection. And that thought makes it all feel possible.