Saturday, May 26, 2012

Peace Corps Zambia: Pre-Service Breaths

My invitation came after a morning of laughter, sweet kisses, sunshine, and coffee. After conscious yogic breaths and conga drumming. I opened the package, read and re-read the country assignment and departure date. Confused glances at the words, at my love and support, and then back at the words. Country Assignment: Zambia. Community Health Volunteer. Leaving July 16. I was told Latin America leaving in August. I thought I had more time, and I thought I would be serving in a country closer in distance to my friends and family.  

But this is it, and as the sediments of amalgamated emotions begin to settle at the pit of my soul, I am starting to breathe more easily than I did a week ago when the package came. I have loads upon loads of love and support, and a spirit whose restless aches for an expanding sense of community, humanity, and love have resurfaced yet again. This is it, and I am ready. I am ready to dive into the bottomless sea and the endless starry skies of the beautiful humanity that surrounds me always. I am excited to invite this world into my heart, let it rush in like a wind that some days I will float upon, and some days I will fly against. I am grateful for this opportunity, I am grateful for the communities of family and friends that are already present in my life, and I am grateful for love.