365 days. 12 months. 4 seasons. 1 year.
I remember thinking one day that my life would only be exciting if I were traveling. And to a certain extent, I was right. While in both South Africa and Hong Kong, I got to experience things that I would have probably never had the chance to here in good 'ol South Dakota. I was able to go on a safari, play with a cheetah, eat crocodile and fresh octopus, travel to the top of a mountain, and visit the red light district.
And yet at the same time I was entirely wrong.
In the last 12 months that I have been home, I have had more of an adventure than I had ever planned. Less than a week after I returned back to South Dakota, I secured a job working in the infant room at a local daycare. To my dismay, I quickly realized that I know nothing about babies but also that I am CRAZY about them. My job quickly became, contrary to many beliefs, a baby fever inducer rather than birth control. I loved going to work everyday and I still do! Don't get me wrong, getting out of bed at 5:30 a.m. is no easy fete, and there are days like everyone else that all I want is to go home and sleep. But at this time, in this place I wouldn't have it any other way. Even though those children will probably not remember me, I should be so lucky that they do, I know that my love and care for these children builds a relationship of trust between not only the child and I but between the parents and I, that will help build the foundation for future trust of teachers, coaches, and other providers for their children.
Since June of last year, so only 9 months ago, I have had three different majors. And between you and me, I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do. But I am 100% sure that I want to pursue my degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I know that I want to work with children. I know that I want to help. I know that I want to make a difference in their life. And I know that I want to live out my faith through the expression of love in my profession, maybe not with words but certainly through my actions. Upon returning home, I was certain I wanted to be a teacher. Not that that has been entirely vetoed, but it has certainly been pushed aside for a while. It's not my main passion. So this being said, since returning home, heck - since starting college! I have changed my career path 3 times but I know that this path that I currently walk, points me in the direction of each career choice I debate over.
Environmentally, my life is completely different. In fact, I feel sometimes like I'm on a different planet when I think of where I was and where I am today. A year ago, I was sharing bunk beds with my sister in an itty bitty room that overflowed into the family room with our clothes, shoes, etc. Today, I'm sitting in MY room, in MY apartment, a concept that still seems foreign to me at times. I have lived at college and though it wasn't my cup of tea, hey, at least I can say that I have done it!
Over this past year, I got to go to Chicago. A trip that was by far one of my favorites for several reasons. It is my last memory of time spent with Nate before cancer. It was drama-free, laid back, and a trip that was based solely on what we enjoyed and what we wanted to do. It was a trip with LOTS of laughter and genuine enjoyment of each other's company. I got to counsel at Junior High camp at Judson for the first time and I got to see my best friend again!!
I watched my best friend wither, fight, come back, and have faith that moved mountains. It blows my mind to think that it hasn't even been a year since the whole fight began and that it is done. Certainly not a knock out though, nowhere near close. I got to spend time, actual, genuine, no distractions time rediscovering Nate. Debating why the new Mumford album was awesome, or in his taste "Not so much..", playing pranks on the nurses and talking about what the future would look like. I learned what it's like to have faith, what it's like to love, and what it's like to let go.
It's been a hell of a year. I wish I could say I wouldn't change a thing, but I can't. But all the while I know that this year, this time in my life, the place that I am at are all working for the good of me. Because He knows the plans He has for me. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Plans to give me a hope and a future. And in that promise I will learn to love the skies I'm under.
