Since I have been back.

I have been home for about two weeks now. It was fantastic to see all of my family and friends. All of them came to Connecticut Saturday to give me a surprise party to welcome me home. It was very sweet and made me feel very loved. It is good to be home with all of them. Still, I am having a hard time. It feels as though I never left. Everything is the same, for the most part. I expected to wake up my first morning and not know where I was. Instead, I woke up in a daze and for a brief moment wondered if it had all been a dream.

But then I remembered so many moments forever in my heart. The little arms wrapping around me in the tightest hugs. Sticky, slimy kisses all over my check. The little voices calling me. I miss my Peruvian family something terrible. I miss the children who have captured my heart. I miss the Madres and workers who give their all for the children. I miss the volunteers who love them all so dearly, I miss my friends with whom I have amazing memories. I miss the church I attended.... even though I could only understand the service when one person spoke. I miss going to bed tired, waking up tired, but still ready for the day and anything that would come my way. I miss being a part of the children's lives. I want nothing more right now than to enter through those doors, run across the field and scoop Jhonathan Grande up in my arms. To run to the swings and throw Hadye over my shoulders. To hear Edwin's beautiful voice calling me "Tia Wawa!" as he runs to give me a hug and be picked up.

I want them to know how much I love them. That I will never forget them and that I will be back.

December can not come soon enough.

I love you so, so much.