ETA: one week

In one week I will be boarding the plane in Belfast, and touching down in Canada. My greatest fear is missing my connecting flight to Winnipeg, and having my homecoming be pushed back. (My other greatest fear about flying is not being able to hear the pilot on the speaker system. Sometimes they have really important things to say. And I really don't want to miss them.)

I have started packing a little bit, going through dresser drawers, throwing things away, tucking necklaces and earrings into socks, and then into shoes. I love this feeling of clearing out, getting rid of the old, moving forward.

I have butterflies in my stomach today. Fear of leaving this comfortable place, the people I've met, the friends I've connected with, the family I live with, the girls who make me laugh (and sometimes scream). But I also have overwhelming joy about coming home, about seeing my family and my friends, about re-connecting with those people, about seeing my pregnant sister-in-law, about planning my sister's wedding, about meeting the new little baby cousins, Lexie and Sage. Excitement about going out for ice cream with the family, getting some normal summer weather for a few weeks (as opposed to grey skies and rain), moving into Amy's house once she and Donny get married, throwing dinner parties (very small ones, as there are only 4 chairs in Amy's house!), buying new clothes, finding a new job. There is fear in those things as well, but it's a good fear.

I am coming home a different woman. I have learned and experienced much this year. I have read and understood, re-read and been enlightened. I went to the gym and sweat a lot and a new body emerged (oh yes, I'm quite hot). I am calling this year my "Irish Independence", for that is what it was. I became myself and loved it. There is still growing left to do, and I'm excited to move on from here, see what's next, see what else God has to teach me.