Making home in England was really hard at first, as a part of me didn't want to leave my safe little Bloomington, and yet I knew that it was something that I needed to do. Living in a L'Arche community was a wonderful experience. I love the people there with all my heart and miss them so very much. I absolutely love communal living and hope that I'm always part of a community. My community is beautiful and messy and silly but even the messiness is soaked up with love. Living in community allowed me to be stretched and to see beauty in new ways. I've learned a great deal this past year from my friends in England, but what's touched me the most is that these people let me into their lives and to see them at their most vulnerable raw moments. That's hard, that's brave and that's beautiful. That's what community is about. I feel privileged to have been part of their L'Arche story even if it were only for a year. I love working and living with people that have disabilities, building friendships, gaining trust and watching how we all grow. I am dying to go back, whether it's for Christmas or for a longer part of my life. It'll always have my heart.
Coming back to the states was really hard for me because I know I had changed. I knew I wasn't returning to Bloomington to make home there. I know that this will be just a visit, and that my travels are not done. How could I come back and share the experience of community? How would I handle being away from my amazing new friends? Would old friends remember and welcome me back? My friends and family welcomed me back and I've shared my bits and pieces of my experiences with them, and heard their amazing journies of first year university and travels near and far. My visit here overlapped with the return of my friends to school and I fell back into my old routine quickly and felt stuck in the waiting for something to happen phase. It was similar to last year when I was waiting for my UK visa and had cabin fever so I jumped on the bus to the Grand Canyon. I have this need to travel and not stay still, which terrifies my mum as she thinks I'm never coming back. I'll be back but not to stay, just to visit.
It's exactly 5 days now til I fly to Australia. I've packed my backpack (yes, I'm only taking ONE bag this time!!) and bought my tickets and visa! I'm ready but scared to once again leave my familiar place.
Lord Howe Island you're about to become my new home and I'm thrilled! Thank you to everyone who is helping make this amazing journey possible.
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