In 11 days all of this will be over, and I’ll have to go home.
I’ll pack my giant backpacks for one last time. I’ll say bye to my teammates and squadmates in Houston. I’ll hop on a plane alone for the first time since flying to Georgia in September. I’ll wander through baggage claim by myself, and all the signs and intercom voices will be in English. I get to see my Mom, Dad, and Matthew, my twinsie, and our dog, Chewie, will be waiting for me at home! If weather.com is right, I’ll probably freeze if it is only 75 degrees in Olympia. I’ll have my own room, my bed, and my pillow back. My closet will look like a brand new wardrobe. I get to drive again. I get to leave the house without a travel buddy. I get to experience the digestive problems associated with re-entry and eating processed foods. There will be familiar fast food restaurants everywhere, more than 7 shampoo options at the grocery store, and my $3/day food budget probably won’t go very far.
For everyone who will be with me over the next few months, bear with me as I adjust and transition. I’m not ready to come home yet, but I am excited to see the people I love and hear their stories. I want to hear about your year and what I missed almost more than I feel the need to share my own stories. I will probably rest and spend time with family at first, but in time, I do want to see everyone and catch up. America and home just seem overwhelming right now. I’m worried about vague questions, broad questions, large crowds, the excessive belongings I left behind, catching up with everyone, and summarizing stories in conversation.
Hanging out with other Americans this month gives me glimpses of America, and sometimes it sounds like a foreign country. Life in America will be full of wonders and mysteries. Different foods, new music, politics, and social norms. It won’t be acceptable to wear the same shirt with holes and stains for a few days in a row. Toilet paper should definitely be flushed in the toilet, and I’ve heard it is not common to talk about your bowel functions in everyday conversation. I have heard the reentry season can be even harder than the race itself, and I believe it. For my sanity, I am thinking of it as month 12 with new places, new home, new community, new adventures, and no expectations, or as few as I can possibly have.
Pray for me, my teammates, and my squad as we finish this month, head to our final debrief, say our goodbyes, and transition back to the USA.
While I’m not ready to say final goodbyes and go home, I truly look forward to hearing your stories, and I hope you’ve all had an incredible year as well.
Love you all!
