Leaving the people and the land I came to love so deeply

I can remember boarding that New Zealand Airlines plane in Auckland and looking out into the city for the last time. I can remember thinking to myself.. "I may never return." I was an extremely sad day for me. Many of the people who took care of me, church members and non members alike met me at the airport the day of departure baring gifts for me and my family. I said good bye to them with hugs, kisses, and handshakes, my heart sunk. I felt more like I was leaving home. As a sign of respect, as I waved goodbye and made my way toward security- families sat on the ground with their feet crossed, swaying back and forth with their right hands in the air singing an old Samoan departure song,

Tofa my feleni, o le a ou lea, Te folau le va-a o, le Alii pule meleke, Nei galo mai Apia, si ota ele ele, Ae magatua maipea, le au pa sese. Refrain: Oh, I never will forget you, Samoa ele e le galotu Oh, I never will forget you, Samoa le galo atu.2. Fa a foga foga, in ai samea u-ma, Sai fai atu o lau faa tusa, pei o le sulu saga, I toto nu o maga, faa pea lau pele, Mai tau pou uma a, mai tau pou uma.