My AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Quest : Homewards and Forwards!

So here's to another end of a great year! To think a year ago I was still in high school and could only think of my future in college! Well here I am a year later in Vinton, Iowa and I have already traveled through Colorado, a state I have always wanted to be in, and planning on going to DC.

During my break I decided to go home and surprise almost everyone, and I actually succeed!! My mom flipped out and cried...my dad attacked me with a hug...my friends all mauled me with bear hugs... my kids that I babysit ran to me... my brothers were confused... my dogs jumped on me... and my soul became warm. The feeling of being back home after four months was odd. I had this feeling that AmeriCorps was all a dream and I just woke up in the same sleepy town. Then again I also felt like being home was all a dream, I would wake up any second in Vinton, Iowa. There were times that I felt like I missed so much within my family... Which is true! I missed the small moments that made a difference. I missed the simple laughs of my brothers. I missed the simple smiles from my mom. I missed the simple mornings with my dad. I missed the simple times that made bonds between people. I've never realized the impact that time has on my home when I'm away.

I was scared to go home for break. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to go back to AmeriCorps. I kept on thinking 'what if I want to stay?' 'What if something happens that makes me stay home.' 'What if my friends have forgotten about me?' 'What if my family is awkward towards me because I left them?'. The What if's made me extremely anxious towards going home for the break. But when I saw my three friends at the airport when I landed, my worries vanished as I ran to them and we all hugged. On the car ride to surprise my mom and the kids I babysit, my worries came back to me in waves. But the biggest wave of worrysome was right before I walked into the door. Knowing my mom was only a few feet away and the fact that she had no clue made me grin, nerves got to my mind. My mind quickly ran through all the possibilities of her reactions. Right when I almost had a panic attack I walked in... My mom cried, screeched, screamed, smiled, yelled, and crushed me with a hug... And it was priceless. My worries melted away with each person I hugged. My heart lifted as the all the kids I babysat remembered me and told me how much they've missed me. The best part of all this was the fact that everyone was so intrested in my stories. I've been around the same people so much, that it felt odd telling people all of my stories. Each time I told someone a story, they would look so happy to hear it. I found new pride in my life choice each time someone told me they were jealous. So I guess going home did the complete opposite of what I thought it would do. Instead of drawing me back in, it pushed me to go further in the world and to do my best so I can make everyone proud.

So here is a posting! I am so sorry for having it a bit delayed. I will post one as soon as I get to DC!! Thank you all for your patience! Til the next post, have a wonderful life!!!!