After 334 days since I left Calgary, I arrived back home August 7, 2014 after accomplishing the World Race, and making a stop to see my paternal family in the USA.
When we entered American air space, we looked down to see Cape Cod, and the coastline of northeast USA. It was our first time seeing American soil in a long time.
In the elevation decline, the increase in decibels and pressure changes in preparation of touchdown, and finally the application of those strong breaks on that runway, I really felt the moment of accomplishment, and I heard God tell me over and over “I am so proud of you, I am so proud of you.”
“God, I asked you many months ago to return me home safe and healthy, and here I am today, touching down in New York after circumventing the entire world, safe and healthy, but more than this, also grown and changed.”
Some of us had tears in our eyes. A moment where no words are required.
I wasn’t even in my home country, but all of my squad mates were, and we are a family now, and so that moment mattered to me as well.
A few days later and I was flying to YYC, the city I was born, raised, educated in and connected to. The city I love and will forever call my home.
The very airport I could see in my mind, was where I found myself walking through in those final moments before I would be re-united with my family…
…walking up the ramp into the airport…
…backpack on, purse on shoulder, sport-in’ the scarf (as usual)…
…making small talk with a fellow passenger (a new usual)…
…up the escalator, around the corner…
…without my squad mates…
…alone and okay…
…step by step…
…with the night sky beyond those big windows, my city sparkling…
…wishing my feet weren’t so sweaty in those cute but plastic shoes…
…following the signs…
…my last moment as a Racer…
…until…
…..
…..
…and there they were.
