A while ago, before I left for Romania, I wrote something relatively cheesy about how much I liked my group (24!) without having met them and how just knowing they were out there, preparing for this big adventure we were going to undertake together, helped me get through packing and saying goodbye. I used the word assiduously in the entry and it sticks out like a sore thumb to me now. I don't even know what assiduously means out of context...musta been the word of the day on my mom's calendar or something. Anyways, now, of course, my ideas about 24! have changed a bit. There are people I enjoy spending time with, people I tend to avoid, and people I don't really know, but after enduring so many afternoon hours in the same little classroom with the same group of people every day for nearly 3 months, you become accustomed to the group's synergy (as much as that word annoys me) and even start to crave it. Even now, while at site and disconnected from those that I'm closest to, every member of the group is on my mind. I keep this map of Romania on my wall and it has a little piece of a post-it note on it where every 24! volunteer is placed and sometimes, when there's not much going on, I'll just stare at it for a while, my eyes shifting from site to site, wondering what each volunteer is up to and how they are doing and what their little corner of Romania is like. I'm sad, though, because I should technically take one of the little post-it notes down, but I can't bring myself to do it. A 24! volunteer has unexpectedly decided to go home and end his service early and it's especially tough because our group was one of the very few who made it through pre-service training and all the way through 3 months of service without losing a single person, strengthening our cohesion. I fully understand his decision to go home, though. I feel more sad over him going through such a hard time than over our group no longer being complete. Thursday was probably one of the worst days I've had so far, just knowing that members of our little 24! group are having a hard time and that the solidity I felt when looking at my post-it note map really wasn't all that solid.
But, I have running water and 35 other 24! members to harass, so I think I'm doing okay.
How are you doing?
5 comments:
I love you Bear!
You are so strong regardless of how long your journey in Romania lasts.
You share with a small group of volunteers an amazing experience. I wonder how you all do what you do-it seems pretty tough at times. Life has ups and downs no matter where you call home, but so far I haven't had to worry about water and the basics we take for granted. I hope it remains that way!
As for me, I wear a sweater while I tend to my flowers early in the morning now. Long pants can hold off a chill some mornings, but I run for shorts by l:00. My not-so-green thumb seems to be waning with fall approaching. The heat/winds/bugs of Nevada challenge anything green.
In one week I head for the Oregon coast. Feeling the ocean breeze brings peace to my soul and just thinking about walking the water's edge makes my toes twitch with glee.
i love you, too, nay. travel safely.
thank you for the update, sue-z! i hope your toes enjoy a dip into the ocean waters. that sounds pretty nice right now, especially along the oregon coast. so beautiful up there. it's definitely getting chilly here - almost need a jacket in the mornings. i a big fan of fall. can't wait to see the autumn colors on the trees here.
It was grand talking with you this morning and knowing the volunteer who left had good reasons. It is a wonderful experience only if it is right for the person. Hugs, Hugs, Hugs, Love, Mom & Ozzie
Keep truckin'. Don't think of the person who left, but how many amazing courageous people who are there.
Ace
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