think of me

A long time comin' but now the snow is gone

The countdown has officially begun. My flight will take off at 7:22 a.m. on July 6 from the Louisville airport. After a brief stop through LaGuardia, I will fly to Philadelphia for staging, a short, "intense" orientation to the Peace Corps. On July 7 we will receive the necessary shots, etc. before taking off at 6:35 p.m. to Paris, and on to Niamey.

I'll step foot in Africa in the afternoon of July 8, 2010.

I'm in Muncie now, visiting for what is likely to be the final time. In the sunshine in front of my apartment building, it's difficult to imagine that my previous statement is real.

Is this what it feels like when your dreams come true?

I've been so widely embraced in these last few weeks. Support and love have come in too many configurations to explain here, but please know how acutely they have been felt. I wish I could help you to understand how truly extraordinary my family is or how blessed I am to have the friends that I do, to know the people I know.

My Peace Corps adventure has already taught me so much. Today, I have this experience to thank for teaching me a level of gratitude I have never before known, a sweeping thankfulness that washes away all traces of apathy worn into my soul over the rapidly passing years. The depth of my faith in goodness has sunken, too. I simply cannot believe that any aspect of this upcoming experience will be a mistake.

I will, of course, err. But with you all at my back, and sewn into my heart, I know I can achieve all of the goals that I have set for myself, the aspirations that have brought me to this point.

In the next month I plan to tackle a long, silly list of trips to the zoo, star-blanketed sleep, road trips, farmers markets, lunches at my favorite restaurants, and conversations over happy hours and coffee breaks. I hope we can find time to meet, perhaps just to say see you later and share a laugh.

Until then, please know that you deserve a thousand thank yous.

So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

And Salamu alaikum (peace be with you).