:: When I gave my yes to adventure with Papa, I had no idea he would blow me away.
:: When I said yes to adventure with Papa to Redding, I had no idea I would love my brothers & sisters like I do.
:: When I said yes to adventure, I did not expect to find such gold.
:: When I said yes to adventure, I did not know I would find a home, a place I belong.
:: When I said yes to adventure, I did not know I would find it so easily.
:: When I said yes to adventure, I did not expect such love.
// I did not expect such love to hit me in the chest on my last day of work at my two elementary schools. When I left today, Avianna, a sweet kindergartener would not let go of me when I hugged her goodbye. She’s a sweet girl & easy to love. She started crying because she didn’t want me to leave & I began tearing up.
I had kept it together all day. This was the first teary goodbye & when I kid cries because you are leaving, that gets me and I nearly lost it.
I didn’t want to end on a sad note, so I said, “are you ticklish” & tickled her a little & said, “let’s leave with giggles not with tears” and I made up a joke. “Why did the chicken cross the road? So he could gobble on the other side.” Giggles. She made up a joke. “Why did the monkey cross the road? So he could oh, oh, ah ah with his banana there.” Giggles.
Then after a minute or two she found me again and squeezed me and wouldn’t let me go.
I made another joke: “Why did the bear cross the road? So he could climb a new tree.”
I told her I loved her and kissed her on the head about three times.
//
Papa showed me so much in those moments.
:: He showed me how his love through me is visible.
:: He showed me how much hugs impart his heart. (In this moment and this morning at my other school)
:: He showed me how he loves through me wherever I am, being myself.
:: He showed me I am important.
:: He showed me I am loved. (Not only love) I am the object of his love, not just an importer of his love.
//
I wrote this as I was eating dinner (Thursday evening) & ended up encountering Papa’s love and it hit me deep. I was crying over my dinner. It would have been an interesting scene, had one of my roommates came home & seen me at the table weeping over my food & listening to Sleeping At Last (currently my favorite). Haha!
I would not have traded it though.
I usually avoid sadness, because crying is not my favorite. Then again, who favors crying over laughter? Yet, this sadness and emotional week I have had, has been nothing I would trade.
I would not trade the adventure I have experienced in Redding for another.
I would not trade my friends in Redding for others I had known years before.
I would not trade the laughter and semi-awkward/awkward conversations and moments for the non-awkward ones.
I would not trade the memories for any other.
I would not trade this aching in my heart to leave for no feeling of sadness to leave.
It’s surreal to have left this home only yesterday.
It stings to have left such quality friends.
Yet, simultaneously I know when I adventure into unknown, Papa meets me and brings me gifts and gold (like he did in Redding).
SO – this chapter is closing. I am still processing all that is going on in my head & heart. I am immensely & extremely thankful for each friend I have bonded with. Some I had more time to bond with than others, but overall, I am rich because I have these treasures of friends in my life.
To my pals in Redding: I am overwhelmed by the adventures & memories we have had together. Thank you for being you! I would not be the Andrea I am today without you. You have greatly enriched my life and I love you more than mountains, hiking, the moon & coffee! Haha 🙂
I will miss the laughter I have had with you and will continue to think of you often! I will see you soon and I won’t forget about you. (How could I possibly forget such quality pals?) ?? I love you!!
//
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect him to bring you gold.
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect him to welcome you into his arms & find a home & place you belong.
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect to make memories.
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect to laugh exponentially.
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect souls to love the truest you & help bring that into your everyday existence.
:: When you say yes to adventure, expect nothing less.
Are you ready to say yes to adventure, again?
