The Race is over and I’ll be home in less than a week.
Sorry I have to type that again to continue to remind my brain to be processing this transition.
The Race is over and I’ll be home in less than a week.
Wow. Still in disbelief; I probably will be for a long time actually! What an incredible 11 months!
All of this being said, I’m SUPER excited to come home and share all of my stories with y’all in person! I do have a few ways that you can love me the best when I do get home. After all, my best friend: “lil sis,” Kaity told me way back in Vietnam that she knew I’d struggle coming home and told me she was coming to visit me for a weekend to spend time with me (which she is doing and I’m super grateful for her doing that.)
1) Give me HUGS, long ones. One of the hardest things about being away has been missing all of my family and friends/like actually being around them. I’ve grown SO much in physical touch (ask my teammates how much I’ve changed) and I do like it a lot better now than I did pre-Race. I have always loved hugs, but I feel like I love them EVEN more now. So give me ALL of the hugs!
2) Give me GRACE if I can’t answer every question you throw at me or can’t explain something. The Race is a super unique experience that you only truly get if you’ve done it before. You can say you understand what I went through, but you won’t totally. I don’t say that to be mean, just to be real. I’ve seen and experienced things that we don’t even talk about in America so please extend GRACE to me when I tell y’all about my adventures!
3) I may need SOME space. I have learned how to be an intravert while being on the Race and now do enjoy alone time from time to time. Please do not be offended if I can’t see everyone the first time you ask to do something. I will still have things to process when I return and have to learn how to adjust back to American culture.
4) It will take time so please also have PATIENCE with me. Yes this kind of goes with #3, but you get the gist of what I’m trying to say.
5) Bring me Chai, or Reese’s pieces or pb cups, or a Whatchamacallit (candy bar, look them up, they’re great), or a marble frosted donut from Dunkin’, or a chocolate pb lover’s Coldstone ice cream. Lol jk, but I’d LOVE it if you brought me some of these things when you see me! Oh the simple comforts have been some of the things I’ve missed the most at different parts in the Race.
6) Please do ASK ME QUESTIONS; any questions (just remember numbers 2, 3, and 4!)
7) READ or RE-READ my BLOGS that I’ve written. There is A LOT in there and they might even answer some of the questions you have for me!
8) SHARE with me what you’ve learned from my experiences or something that stuck out to you from the Race. A HUGE shoutout to all of you who have read my blogs and left comments, wrote me notes, or sent me emails, or messages via Facebook! It’s been super encouraging to read about how God impacted me, has now impacted others! I have loved hearing about all of your journeys while being on mine!
These are just 8 ways that I can think of right now. I may find out that there are more ways to love me, but for now, focus on these 8! I love ALL of you! Thanks again for all of the prayers, love, and support!
