"The moments between the moments.", as my dearest friend says.
All the moments this summer have created a lifetime of memories in just 79 days. I feel full. Full of love, of gratitude, of breakthroughs and broadened horizons. I feel overwhelmed and changed. Unsure of the future, yet very sure of my path.
I have had moments of extreme happiness, and crippling pain. On these trips, it is easy to get caught up in the end goal.
What do we want our students to gain?
What do we want our students to give?
What do I want to gain?
What do I want to give?
The strongest memories are the small, unplanned moments. The candid discussions with a mother and grandmother doing the best they can for their daughter. The public crematorium where all classes of people come to reflect on the legacy they are leaving. The children in the village who don't know English, but just want to be held, even by a stranger. The promises of a vendor; to learn English and send his kids to school, so they may live a better life than he did. The passion and determination of a myriad of people, to live the life they love, and do their part, no matter how small, to better the world. These things were not planned, like my flight pattern, yet they will stay with me much longer. Every laugh, every tear, every hug, is etched into my heart. When I am feeling down, defeated, lost or hopeless, these are the things I cling to time and time again.
To the student volunteers who participated this year: Thank you for your effort, your love, and your courage. You are the future and for that I am so grateful.
To the students, staff and in-country teams: Thank you for your open hearts, your willingness to share your homes, your schools, and yourselves. Thank you for representing your countries and cultures so beautifully. Thank you for making us feel at home.
To my fellow chaperones: Thank you for your endless support, advice, hard work and laughs. You hold me together when I begin to fall apart.
To my parents: Thank you for loving and caring for Charlie Brown so I can do what I love.
To everyone who contributed financially, emotionally or simply read my blog: This support means more than you could ever imagine to lives all across the globe.
To LM: Thank you for helping me find my purpose in life, and thank you for helping me give it away. And a million other things that would take to long to write.
#cga2016comestoanend
