Abandonment is never an easy thing. To leave everything you know and love for God some might say is crazy. I say it’s a part of life.
Friday was my last day at my job. A good stable job with benefits and really amazing people. Even though I loved working with the kids I knew that my time there was up and I needed to move on. One thing about abandonment though is that before you leave the people around you show how much they care. On Thursday my work handed me 2 bags full of all the little things I will need for next year. Included were lotion, bandaids, first aid kit, water bottle, and several other things. The best of them all though was a container of captain crunch with my face replacing the pirates face. When they handed me the bags I started crying. I had no idea how much of an impact I had made in the school. Some of the staff who I barely had conversations with came up and hugged me goodbye. I felt Gods love so strong that day. I knew what I was doing was right.
The hardest part of that day though is when a student came up to say goodbye. Over the past 6 months I became close with a girl who reminded me a lot of me. A girl who most considered odd and didn’t want to be friends with. But someone who at the same time stayed positive and didnt care. She gave me a huge hug and wished me the best of luck. I could tell she didnt want me to leave but she knew I was doing the right thing.
Yesterday my parents through me a going away party. Friends and family came over to wish me good luck. People who I hadn’t seen in months sat down and wanted to hear my story. They were all extremely supportive and really excited for me. At one point during the night my dad called everyone together for a toast. He talked about how never in a million years he would be able to go on this journey. How he would have such a hard time abandoning his home, family, and bed. He also said how he couldn’t be prouder of me. To hear him say that I felt I was finally ready to leave. That that was the thing I needed to hear. That my parents supported me on this journey even if it’s not a catholic mission trip.
I know that the next year will push my limits. I know that I will be tested in every way. I know that after all of that I will be a better person and closer to God which is why I am going. I take to much for granted. I need to start seeing life from the less fortunate’s point of view. God will provide what I need for the journey I just need to go.
