Sorry it's taken me so long to get this post out. Actually it's probably a good reflection of how long it has taken me to begin to return to my life that I left behind in Melbourne (i also apologise in advance for the poor gramar and lengthy sentences, its been a long day). Being a TCK I'm used to traveling, to moving, to spending quality-time that is time restricted, to having to pick up relationships where I left off, to leave them again... However Philippines has proven to be a dffernt story...
Sitting in the airport i think James counted up 10 or so departure stamps in his passport. Enough to make us profesionals at this leaving and resettling routine? However all that really says is that in 7 years we have gotten to do life with a couple dozen younger brothers, who live in a whole another continent. As a group of friends, young in age our selves, the Something for Change team have grown from our connection with these boys... i know i for one am not the same 19 year old that agreed to join my friends on an adventure across the globe to realise what i knew then as someone else's "Dream". Little did i know that dream would consume my heart and i would spend the next few years making this dream my own. This dream has taught me to care for people like i never dared alow my self to before. A dream that came to life in the children of a counrty... more specificaly in the form of around 23 boys over the years. We have all taught each other so many valuble, life changing lessons and have become so much a part of eachothers lives, its no wonder goodbyes hurt so much
I've also noticed that the more frequently we've been there, the less time it takes for us to adjust into life there, which in turn means we get to further experience the depth of live and its issues there. As a socialworker i find it harder with each return from a developing country to force my mindset to sucessfully switch between the contrasts of the often overwhelming effects of absolute poverty faced by people there and making sure i dont let it affect my compasion towards families i work with struggling through their "realities" of living with relative poverty in comparison... they are often such parallel worlds yet at the same time so different, its hard to imagine we all share the same planet.
To every single one of you that have been reading this blog or suport us in other ways as we attempt to chase our passion... Thank you! to everyone who we have met along the course of the last trip, thank you for you part in our story. To family and friends who have suported us, encouraged us, picked us up when we fall apart, share our joys and our pain of this journey... Thank You! we couldnt do what we do without you. To our work places and coleagues, for being understanding and patient with us as we work out the fine balance between our two worlds and responsibilities- Thank you! To the boys of cornestone house past and present, for accepting us into your lives...Thank you! and Last but defenitly not least... to my friends who make up Something for Change- Thank you for dreaming this dream with me and journeying by my side to see it become a reality.
I think its now time to put this blog away with my back pack and travel gear.
... until the next adventure...
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2 comments:
You did something beautiful. I hope you will continue to fight for those who others ignore but also accept somethings that are so unjust we cannot change. I hope you will continue to love people in your own very special and unique way and cope with fact that loving them is fun and joy but also laced with pain.
Thanks Pa :)
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