It's a strange feeling writing this post in The Immokalee Chronicles, while not actually being in Immokalee. However, I write to bring closure to my experiences, as well as share with all you wonderful people who actually take time to read this, about my final days of such an incredible journey.
I've been home for almost a month now, and since I've been home, I've been in this re-adjustment period of being back in Ohio, living in my parent's house, brothers and sisters running around, playing catch-up with friends, not working, not having a Ford Taurus at my disposal...it's rough.
I haven't had much time to process that my year is over. It feels like it was just beginning, like I just announced my decision on Facebook, just had my going-away party, just piled into a car with three other people and our luggage and made the 24-hour drive down to Florida.
Right when I got home from Immokalee, it was wedding time. My brother got married, and with that came rehearsal dinner, hair and makeup appointments, ceremony, photos and reception. Following that was days playing catch-up with some friends, and even a surprise Welcome Home Celebration (I'm sure I've mentioned before, but I have some pretty fantastic friends)!
People ask what it's like being home. I have mixed feelings.
Change is difficult. I'm glad to be home but I am sad to leave Immokalee. It is a close to a year of lots of change, transition, growth, and faith. It's been formative in so many different ways. While a lot of the year was rough, I always loved the work I was doing, I clung to that. God got me through the rough spots and I grew a LOT in myself, who I am, and with my relationship with God-because at times, that's all I had.
The last month of Immokalee was amazing. It was perfect. I met some incredible friends, loved the summer program I was working at, and "home life" was stable. I was able to reach out to people in ways I wasn't able to before, and I formed and strengthened relationships in that short amount of time. Then I had to leave. It was rough because at that point, I was like, "man, if things were like this all year, I would have definitely seen myself staying another year". But at the time I had to make that choice, the best choice was going back to serve one more year in Cleveland. And I don't regret the choice- I feel it was God-led and that's where I am meant to be. I'm excited for it. I'm excited for a new opportunity and for my community. The girls I will be living with in Cleveland are phenomenal and I know God is just going to do awesome things. I feel extremely blessed and taken care of. Perseverance through hard times brings forth great rewards. I'm seeing it so clearly now.
I love Immokalee. I love the people there. I love the community and the spirit and the strong family ties and the strength of the people I met there. I'm thankful for the hard times, for they forced me to grow. I'm thankful for all the people I met, whether they were easy to deal with or not, for they taught me a lot about human interaction, compassion, communication and so many other things. I'm thankful for the stories I heard, the conversations I had, and the time spent getting to know people. I'm thankful for the opportunities to hold the babies, teach the children, tutor the girls, and march with the farmworkers. I'm thankful for so many things.
I'm so thankful it happened and for how everything happened. There were definitely times throughout the year that I questioned: "Why is this happening?". Slowly but surely, the answers are being revealed and I am confident that everything happens for a reason and all things come together to create an amazing story.
A year of service is an amazing thing. It goes both ways. I have been served and blessed in so many ways. I learn so much and have been given so much by the people I met.
I'm not gone forever. I'm sure I will be back to Immokalee at some point. This past year in Immokalee has been a treasure. I am not who I was a year ago. While I miss the people there, I know I will see them again.
To all who read this blog throughout the year, I thank you. I thank you for walking this journey with me, and sharing in my experiences. I leave you with some pictures of my final days, and ask for your prayers for me as I prepare to transition into a new house, new community and new job in Cleveland :)
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