As I have entered into the 8th month and gotten ready to head for the home stretch, I have been reminiscing about the things that I have gotten used to not having. It has not been the big things that I miss about home, but the small things that I didn’t even think about on a day to day basis. So here is a list of the things that I am thankful for at home and for the things I will think twice about when I reach the end of this adventure:
1. My bed. Seriously, every time I get into it at night and tuck myself in, I will give a quick shout out to God. I had no idea how good I had it…
2. A toilet. Yes, a western toilet in a clean, or even kind of clean, bathroom is all I ask. And if that bathroom has a door, then it is an added bonus. I don’t think I will ever look at a bathroom at a rest stop, gas station, construction site, truck stop, etc., and complain about it. Those will all be well above what I have experienced (a shudder just ran down my spine as I thought about it).
3. Washer/Dryer. Oh my goodness gracious. Washing clothes by hand in a bucket with a scrubby brush, while at the same time praying that I picked a good day to do it so that it will dry on the line is harder than it sounds. I am trying to remember what it feels like to turn a knob to the setting I wish then hit a button, but I can’t…
4. Hot showers. I don’t know what to say about this one. I could cry just thinking about it. I miss you, shower head with temperature dials that work, I miss you.
5. Closets/Dressers. Being able to weigh options, organize clothes, have them hung up rather than rolled, and not having to stuff them into small bags then eventually into a bigger bag is a luxury. Remember that.
6. Wifi/Cell Service. The ability to send or receive texts, check your email, place a call, look at Facebook or Instagram (or if something else is the new big thing that I have missed), check a fact on google, check the spelling of a word, or basically anything you want to do on a cell phone whenever you want (except when driving. It can wait) is a privilege and should not be taken lightly.
7. AC/Heating. Temperature regulation never crossed my mind as something that I would miss, but as I have travelled from the cold mountains of Nepal to the blistering heat of India, I find myself thinking back to those much simpler times of having the ability to pick your temperature.
8. Grocery Shopping. Most of this race, I have not had the ability to choose the food that I eat. Making a list, going to the store, buying what I want, making my food in the kitchen, and eating it at the time of my own choosing is something I now look forward to.
9. Shorts. I haven’t wore jean shorts in 8 months and I have more than 3 to go. As they make up half of my outfits at home, I have had withdrawals, but I will make it. Barely.
10. The Gym.
11. Being alone. Just because this is the last thing on the list, it does not mean that it is the least. Whether it be running, taking Gilligan for a walk, hiking, working out, driving anywhere, sitting at my house, drinking coffee at a café, anything, I will cherish those lonely moments. It is definitely going to be a weird feeling when I get home, but my goodness, it is going to be great.
I can definitely think of more such as: ice cubes, coffee makers, refrigerators, wine, wedges, sundresses, animals being treated decently, brunches, hiking, salads, biking, bikinis, hugging my dog, etc. But the fact of the matter is that this race has changed my perspective and has changed me. I hope that I will forever be appreciative of the little things when I get home and that I will be aware of how blessed my life really is.
