First of all, I am so excited to go home and see my family. Please hear that. A Sadie snuggle is first on my list! I have called, FaceTimed, Marco Polo'd, you name it, but it's just not the same as being with my family. CAN'T. WAIT.
But before that sweet reunion can happen, I have to say goodbye to my whole world the past little over two years. I have built lasting friendships that are even deeper than some people have I have known for 10 years back home. Working, hanging out on weekends, eating meals, going to church, and drinking endless cups of coffee together has made us have deep friendships incredibly fast. It's hard to describe, the closest I can think of is in university when you live in dorms and are with the same people all the time.
All week I have been counting my "lasts"- last church service, last all hands meeting, etc. Life on ship is very rhythmic with traditions and meetings for each day of the week- Testimony Tuesday, Worship Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, etc.
Last night lying in bed I was dreading Thankful Thursday in Rehab. On a normal Thursday we go around in a circle saying what we are thankful for (See my post "I am Thankful for the Gift of Life ) but when someone is leaving everyone in the department says why they are thankful for that person. And of course, that person was me today. They all said the most lovely things and I was teary through it all. I wrote what I wanted to say to the team last night, not wanting to forget anyone or any detail. As I got to the last few sentences "Lastly I am thankful to God that I got to be here for so long. What a gift. Please continue to love these children well and the rest will fall into place" I completely broke down in tears. Cry number 1 of the day check check.
Next, I was off the ward to see a sweet 11-year-old girl. She has been screaming in pain and in fear the past two days when I have seen her. She took maybe 10 steps yesterday and I was preparing for about the same today. She is a big girl, and I brought my muscles thinking I would need them as she was pretty much sitting on my shoulder yesterday while I was on the ground helping move her feet!! Well, today was a new day and as she walked, she needed less and less help and went around 10 meters! Her brother started crying and I had cry number 2 of the day. She wants to walk more, this time in front of the nurses so we had her sit in the wheelchair and go back to the ward. She starts walking to everyone's amazement and the whole ward plus chaplains and nurses are all chanting her name and then break out into worship songs about what a miracle this is. She walks over 30 meters! The head ortho nurse (Pip) and I hug and cry again. Cry number 3. Done.
Throughout the day I told all of my patients I was leaving on Saturday. Lots of hugs from patients and their caregivers. No tears but definitely sweet little hugs and snuggles I'll remember.
Topped the workday off with a party for myself, Kate (my team lead) and Matt (our amazing admin) who are all leaving this weekend. Lots of dancing, good food, goodbye cards and even a little speech from Shannon about how each of us have changed lives. Cry number 4 complete.
Ended the day with the annual Ortho Kid Glow Stick Party! All my patients and caregivers had glow sticks, disco balls everywhere, and every fun African dance song played! I danced with kids who were wheeled down the hall in beds, wheelchairs, holding walkers, etc. We sang "Wakka Wakka" "I Have a Very Big God" "Joy is Coming" and "Ohemma".
I am exhausted emotionally and physically, but it was the best day I never could have imagined last night. Less than 48 hours to go in Ghana and I'm still soaking up every minute.
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