(re)discovery of life, love and possibilities

the past two years have been a fully realized and enjoyed blur...

i have learned many valuable lessons throughout my two years in jamaica; most of which took place in and around my community. it took some effort and initiative, but not too long after i was accepted and viewed in my community as any other jamaican. it has been a very touching experience to be so loved and taken in... i now have a larger family, made up of close friends who see me as their family and blood.

now that my time is counting down rather quickly,
everyone is getting quite nostalgic.
we reminisce about the past,
the good,
the bad,
the crazy,
...
they have difficulty remembering when i first came,
some say two years,
some say five,
and others say they have known me from when.
it's funny to hear,
but it's equally bittersweet.

people say seaford town will never be the same without me.
my presence will be missed,
and and only my spirit felt.
there will be a little less sunshine,
and an empty space in my absence

i know i will always have a place here.
a place to call my home,
whenever i should want it.
i feel blessed to have had this opportunity
and the time to meet
and exchange with these beautiful people
who have touched and impacted my life.

i will keep the memories of my friends and students close to my heart.
i will always remember that first instance i arrived here,
my initial impressions,
and that first day of teaching at school...
the room full of children
and me,
completely lost,
but after the days,
weeks,
months,
and years that followed,
it became routine and natural,
as if i had been here all along...
as if life had always been like this.

so,
as the time is winding down,
i look back with a heart full of love
on fond memories and spectacular adventures.
like a friend told me the other night,
"jamaica has done you well, no true?
you must find a way to come back,
no ifs,
ands,
or buts about it.
we can't manage without you.
it wasn't by chance you were sent here.
there was a reason
and i hope you have learned to see it."