to my grandkids

This is the last post I post from this location for the next four months-- my bed. Tonight, I was surrounded by everyone who loves me. My best friend and my momma worked together to make it possible. It was so special. I walked in the house to a bunch of people who were holding cards, big smiles and ready to send me off. As I was saying hey to everyone and trying to crowd jump, one of my best friends, Billy surprised me and walked in the door. I remember texting him about this opportunity right when I found out about it and with no hesitation he said "DO IT" -- after talking myself in and out of it he said "Its a story to tell your grandkids." With knowing how true that is, I decided to go for it-- (not just for that reason) but to not just tell my grandkids that they can do anything to follow their dreams, but to show them they can do anything to follow their dreams. Of course, there will always be uncertainty, but when it comes together you just know and you run for it, & with this being said--


I have no clue what I am doing right now. I am listening to my cat play with his water bowl, that he constantly knocks over, and I have tears in my eyes at the thought of not hearing that for four months. Tonight I had a house full of people who love and support me give me gifts, donations and lots of hugs. As a sweet family came up to me they told me they had something for me and their middle aged son handed me a wooden fish necklace with Jesus written on it. Peyton told me about how he gave it to his daddy when he first started his job as a cop. He told his daddy it was to keep him safe, his daddy outgrew the necklace only leading up to this night where this sweet family handed me the necklace and said wear this and keep safe. Tonight, I had a friend hug me not letting go because she was too afraid to show her tears. Tonight, I had a best friend who avoided me because she can't handle 'byes.' Tonight, I had a friend act like it was no big deal that I was leaving only to get a massively long text when he got home. Tonight I had a friend tell me that it was just hitting him that I won't be here for the summer. Tonight I had one of my preschoolers tell me he loved me as he left. Tonight I had a friend who is 3 weeks post-op brain surgery show up to give me a hug and a journal. Tonight, I hugged my Pepaw 75 times. Tonight it didn't feel like I leave tomorrow for four months.  Tonight, I am laying in my bed, still not all the way packed and it still doesn't feel like I won't be in this bed for four months. .

Maybe it will hit me tomorrow. Maybe it will hit me when I am on the road, who knows. But, I know that this is a story to tell my grandkids. I am excited about this journey. I am sure that tomorrow will be a tearful day with lots of emotions.

So to my grandkids, go for the thing that scares you. Go for the thing you know is part of your calling. Go for the very thing you can't go a day without thinking about. No matter what that is, mine is a hundred things. Ugandans happen to be a majority of that list and for the next four months I will be an 'Auntie" to 18 of them.

Tonight I felt love. I only wish that someday you will feel the same thing