A Week Off

Simply writing the title of this blog brought me joy. This past off shift I took my first "week off." Which was really just a week off from my second job at the Y. Perhaps a month or so ago when I was on the phone with my parents my mom asked what I was doing for my birthday. I replied something along the lines of, "Oh probably just sitting on my porch." And then she asked if I would want to come home. And oh how my heart soared. Of course I wanted to come home! And then a plane ticket was bought and it was set. All I had to do was to get through a few more shifts. It was much harder than it sounds because the prospect of going home was something that I was craving so badly. Staying present at work was very challenging but it also gave me something to look forward to. So last Thursday, after an exceptionally challenging week I boarded a plane and with more excitement than I have known for a long time, headed home. And what a wonderful five days it was. 

My mom came and picked me up from the airport and we enjoyed lunch as we got caught up. It was so nice to see her and spend that time one on one together. Then a short visit to the dentist followed by getting deep dish Chicago style pizza with my parents. Catching up with them was a wonderful time. I have found that the older I have gotten the more I can truly appreciate the two individuals who I am so blessed to call my parents. I am so grateful for all they have done and continue to do for me. On Friday I turned 24. **PAUSE** Twenty-four. Two decades and four years. Yikes. Some of you who may be reading this are not impressed. But it felt like a big deal to me. And yet, at the same time.. It was the last thing on my mind. Why might you ask? Because I was headed to Wisconsin. I was making my way to Timber-lee and I could not contain my excitement. Dad was kind enough to let me borrow his Jeep, which brought back fond memories of Rambo. 

And as the sun was shining I drove up a route I had taken so many times before and ended at a place that feels so much like home. Naturally I started at the barn first, and hung out with Amanda and Laura, who I had worked with at the barn previous summers. We hung out with kittens, saw my favorite, now one eyed horse Mack, and caught up on life. Meg soon joined the party, then Luke, and as a group we went and hung out with Andy in the office. Shortly after Jason came around and since this is camp we naturally got onto the topic of blow dart guns, which conveniently he happened to have! So we went out and had some fun with blow dart guns. I don't remember the last time I had smiled for so long and was genuinely happy. Soon after all that ended and some people went their own ways I got to see Codi, Jack, Craig, and Timmy. And I had almost forgot how much laughter comes along with these guys. I remember writing in another post that I never thought I would be in the same room as all of them and here I was, months after, with all of them.  We went and ate food together, I luckily was spared being sung to by the restaurant people. It was so nice to hear about their lives and where they were going after their time was up at camp. It was so nice to simply be around people who I had spent 10 months of my life with and had grown so connected to. But still, if I'm being honest, it was also really hard.

It was hard because I knew that as the night grew old I would be leaving, yet again. It was hard because as much as it felt 'normal' I had left those few months ago and they continued to do life together. It was hard because I so badly want to be a part of a community like I had at Timber-lee again. It was hard - but it was good. 

And as the time came for me to leave and hugs were exchanged, I got in my jeep and couldn't help but be reminded of the day that I left Timber-lee back in May. And as I drove away, the stars and moon shone bright and a few tears slide down my face. But I was and am so thankful for the time I had to share with those people who I care so deeply about. And am so grateful for everyone who went out of their way to see me; It means more than my words could express. 

The next day I went to Taco Bell with my dad. A tradition we have done since I can remember. And even as a vegetarian I have found ways to make it work. And as we ate we talked life and I am so grateful for our Taco Bell dates. Then we went and picked up Mom and headed to Costco! What a joy. And then church and Chipotle. Shortly after I went out to see a few friends from high school and had a great time catching up with them. 

Sunday some of my family came over for dinner and it was so great to hear the successes that my cousins were experiencing! I was also reminded that my aunt and uncle will be coming down in November and am looking forward to having them around for a few days! 

Monday I packed up some cold weather clothes, fruit snacks, and new books and headed to the airport. I didn't want to leave. And I thought back to Thursday and all the excitement, literally giddy, and contrasted it with how I felt. It was night and day. Not that I don't like my job or my life in North Carolina, but I think it is the people. I feel so loved at home, so loved at camp, unlike anything I have experienced. And I knew that I would miss that. But back to Asheville I went. And I was glad to see the mountains. And immediately had to shed layers, which I was less excited about (I've always been a cold weather person). I found that I fell back into the swing of my life easily. And am so thankful for the memories of the five days I spent at home. 

So now Rocky is all packed and ready to roll out bright (actually it's quite dark when I leave) and early tomorrow. Even earlier than normal for some med training so I can officially accept my new position as Lead Instructor. And I will head back into the woods for another week. And I am also grateful for that. For whatever experiences await me. For the lives of young adults that I get to be a part of impacting. For the beauty of God's creation that will surround me. For all the opportunities that help me grow as a person. 

So that's that. That was my "week off." Thank you for everyone who was a part of it, including all of the phone calls I got expressing love towards me. As I head out tomorrow please keep me and the kids in your prayers. 

I know that I usually say something starting with "until next time...." but I'm kind of drawing a blank on this one. Ahhh - here we go, I'll leave you with a quote that one of the teenage boys repeated many times during his stay. Simple and yet, helpful. Until next time, remember, "Fire hot, water wet."