As I reflect back on the past 6 months, to all the experiences I’ve had, places I’ve seen, and humans I have come to love, my heart has become immensely... fat. It’s hard to explain how much love I feel for the world and for the people I have met, but I can tell you that my heart has grown at least 17 sizes. If we were to see it in an x-ray, it absolutely would not fit! Not only have I come to know and love myself better, but I have come to know and love ALL humans better. My time here has given me new lifelong friendships, everlasting memories, and irreplaceable experiences. I am immensely saddened to be leaving this extraordinary place that I consider my second home and family. It truly is a strange feeling. Leaving everything to come to Ireland was different as I knew that it would all be there when I returned, but leaving here-- I don’t know when or if I will have the opportunity to return. I don’t know when or if I will ever see the many humans I have come to love. But, I am ever so grateful for the influence they have all had in my life. I leave them feeling as if I have known them for ages. And what a wonderful feeling that is. I will miss my time in Ireland immensely, but it will be good to go home. To go back and share what I have learned and what I have seen to those who may not ever have the chance to do what I have done. To go back to share and spread the happiness I’ve gained and to make the world just a little bit happier and just a little bit brighter, and hopefully a little bit better. (It’s a shame I can’t bring back all the milk and cows with me!! I’m positive they are the solution to world peace.) If you have the chance and the opportunity to take a leap of faith and live in a different land- DO IT. And if you have the chance to do so for more than 3 months, oh my goodness, please please please DO IT. The time goes by way too fast and when you hit three months, you’re just barely getting to know the place. Unless you don’t want to be heartbroken when it’s time to leave, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
