I remember a month ago sitting at the airport scared out of my mind. Well, I’m back at the airport and I did it! I can hardly believe that a month has passed and how much I have experienced in these past weeks. I lived in a house with people from around the world, I witnessed and experienced the life of people living in poverty, I taught school in Spanish, I stood on my own and I not only survived- I thrived. Now, I won’t “sugarcoat” it- this was one of the hardest things I have ever done- but I am so glad that I did it!

For many years, I have had this crazy thought that wouldn’t it be nice if we could have our funeral before we died. (Yes- a pretty crazy, right?). But, think about it… at your funeral, all these people are there to share what an amazing person you were and how you touched their lives. Wouldn’t it be nice to be present for that?

Well, leaving Hilo Rojo was like witnessing my own funeral. The appreciation that I received was so much more than I could ever imagine. The director threw me a “good-bye fiesta” at the school- so unexpected as other volunteers have left while I was here and did not get a party. The kids showed definite sadness when we gave hugs good-bye, especially Santos- one of my students who I really saw grow while I was here. And, the volunteers… I didn’t expect tears, but I shed them, too. We were on this journey together, and they were the people who helped me through it, but I helped them, too. I became the “cool mom” of the house (since most of the volunteers could have been my kids) who showed them that dreams can be followed at any age. I believe that I inspired some of them that you can have a family and a job and still find ways to change the world. We all grew in ways we never expected, and I will forever be grateful for the people- the kids, the other volunteers, the program directors- who walked this journey with me.

So, as I sit in the airport waiting for my flight, I am beyond excited to see my family. I missed them so much! But, I am leaving a part of my heart behind in Trujillo, Peru as I will also miss the people here. It’s been quite a journey- thanks for joining me on it!