I'm not going to make a record of all the things that were wrong. I have no reason to want to remember them. I am choosing to focus on the positive. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a little about love. I learned to live without. I learned to keep my mouth shut. I learned to look the other way. I learned that sometimes the right thing… will not be done for the sake of ones sanity. I learned that sometimes people are fake. I learned that sometimes people pull away. I learned that I am capable of changing lives. I learned that I can do a lot with very little. I learned that I can survive. I learned that there is rum out there that literally tastes good, but not where to get it stateside. I learned that I'm not alone, but to be truly alone is the worst feeling in the world. I learned that I don't like to travel solo, it's no fun.
I won't forget the smiles of Shamma or Bakheet when I'd teach them something new with base ten blocks. I won't forget the shy smiles of Sara or the mischievous ones of Shaheen. I won't forget the quiet times of Ali A. I won't forget Mouza lending a helping hand to those at her table without being asked. I won't forget the tantrums turned to happy smiles of Mouzah Mo. I won't forget the tearful terror of Ali O. having to ask Ms. Chaon for the class ball back. I will certainly miss my after school time with Eriyanna or Cooper. I'll miss chats with Mr. Harry, gossip fests with Jane, and checking the weather with Leigh. I'll miss the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. I'll miss the tshirt weather through December.
But my adventure is over. I'm home. I'm home for good. This is home and this is where I'm supposed to be. Coming home was like breathing fresh air for the first time in 114 days. (That might actually be true). Spending time with those I missed while I was gone was so precious. One experience had me bursting into tears. Reflecting on that time, it was like my soul caught up in that moment and realized it was whole, no longer broken.
