18 Days Left

The half-lit setting seems so full as I sit alone in this hotel room in Vancouver, WA; the place I called home for 18 years. After visiting with a dear priest friend, high school friends I haven't seen in four or more years, seeing my siblings and family and celebrating the love my parents have for one another at their vow renewal, my cup is full. I remember and appreciate this place, my home, so much and the beautiful people God has blessed my life with.

I have 18 days left.

I have 18 days left in JVC.

I have 18 days left to start processing these two years and give this conclusion its proper diligence. Being here, being in this place where I biked around my neighborhood, hit baseballs over our neighbor's fence, went to dances, worked my first job, got my license, had my first boyfriend, lost my first tooth, had my first alcoholic beverage and experienced so many other "firsts" has reminded me of my roots. It has renewed my soul and fire for loving and keeping amazing people around me and never forgetting where I came from.

It appears that I have let so much go by as I went out and took the world by storm. I have been privileged to fall in love with so many amazing people and places on both coasts but I think, in my independence, I have buried away the stepping stones that have gotten me to where I am today.

My friends from high school were there for me during the really tough times. Ready to make me laugh, cry, drink, talk or watch a movie. They challenged me and accepted me for who I was and I think I easily forget that. So many times, I am looking to the future. I am looking down the road and not looking back over my shoulder at the wonderful and formative individuals who helped guide me down the road to begin with.  

With 18 years in Vancouver down, and 18 days left in JVC, I am ready to not be thinking of what happens after the 18 days is up; but instead, to look back on the road I have traveled and the amazing people waving back at me as I remember.

I'm not sure if you read this, but I really believe it needs to be said and recognized: Thank you. Thank you Nick, Brooklynne, Chris, Missy, Skyler, Rachel, Tat, Bar Bar, Jill, Melanie, and all their parents; the swim team, the Key Club, the Peer Helpers/Mediators club, marching band, concert band, Spanish class, church friends and all the others in Vancouver who made this place such a joyful and fulfilling memory for me. I find myself, looking back, starring at the road and being so grateful, so thankful for your companionship.

My DC friend texted me something this weekend, that I think will best summarize what I am taking back to DC with me, "You are loved and people care about you. Never forget that..."

(Last Day of High School June, 2006)

Distant Chapters Closing

I haven't posted in a while and many things could be the reason why, "I'm busy", "I'm forgettful" and "I'm uncertain what to blog" all fall into the main reasons why I haven't but now I find myself inspired by something a little sad. 2012 marks two years that I have been living on the east coast...two years, that's 730 days. Two years worth of "stuff" my friends back home have done, holidays with my family and birthday parties I've passed by. Two years of brief and infrequent phone calls, numerous letters and even more text messages to try and bridge the over 2,800 mile gap between where I've been and where I am now.

I writer today and am inspired today, because my heart hurts. Sure, I've missed graduations and big moments of need or happiness in my family or friends' lives, but in this moment, in this time, the thing that has tipped the scale is the departure of a very dear friend from a life I had the privilege to be a part of. On June 4th, my friend, Fr. Qui-Thac Ngyuen celebrated his last Mass as Chaplain at the WWU Newman Center in Bellingham, WA. Alums traveled from far and wide to be a part of his last Mass and to thank him for all he had done for so many college students at WWU. I know for me, he is my college years, he helped form my mind, my soul and my heart and to think of the Newman Center without him there, seems impossible.

The work I do is important and beyond rewarding. I have learned, lost, loved and grown so much in these two years but I cannot honestly say that I would be here, sitting in Washington DC, with two years under my belt dedicated to serving the most vulnerable; if it weren't for Padre Qui-Thac.

He has inspired me to serve, to love, others. He has always been my number one supporter and motivator. When I wasn't sure about JVC or the homesickness or even where to discern my calling, Padre was there with wise words and a good book to help me sort things through.

I love being here, I love being in DC, the "Mecca" for social change but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss people, places and friends. Today I especially miss my friend, Fr. Qui-Thac. Although I know he is following his heart and discerned for himself where God was calling him, I know many will miss him and miss the impact he made on a lot of confused college students.