A Day of Goodbyes

Thursday was our final day of getting delegates to the airport and saying goodbye to a wonderful staff of adults. Every trip I go on and the more people I meet and friends I make... this day becomes harder and harder. I can honestly say the people I have worked with and met on this program have become some of my best friends, including my wonderful co-author of this blog (MWAH!!). It's amazing to me how people from the opposite coast can show and share support, friendship, and love that I feel will last a very long time.

This was such a momentous week and something I feel so blessed that I was able to be a part of. My only regret is not getting more of an opportunity to talk to my delegates regarding what the inauguration and the week meant to them. I know it is something they will never forget, and they are the reason I love doing these programs over and over again. As a special education teacher who deals every day with struggling students who have dreams I fear they may not be able to attain because of their disabilities, working with these wonderful students here through People to People gives me hope. The naive eyes of these students give me inspiration and help with my own continued desire to learn. I have an enthusiasm for this program, unlike any I have ever had before, a definitive belief in the mission of People to People to find "peace through understanding," and I love how much I have learned from my delegates over the past 3 years. I am counting down the days for April to come and I can embark on my 10th trip with this wonderful organization in a brand new role as primary leader!