Midpoint

And so begins November...

Sydney and I had a sleepover last night. We sat at the little kitchen table in my home away from home, sipped wine, and talked about anything, everything, and nothing. Sometime during our conversation, I realized that October was coming to an end and it was time to say hello to November. It's now the midpoint of my Ukrainian adventure; one half of my journey has come to an end.

Being in the middle of something, whether it be a journey or otherwise, naturally brings about some kind of reflective, introspective attitude. I feel that now, especially when I think about how short the time is that I have left in Ukraine.

My mind works in snapshots, moments, and quotes. Every day of my little Ukrainian life, I think to myself: "Remember this, Hannah. Remember this moment." I keep a notebook next to my bed, and every night I write down things that my friends have said, things my students have done, and other little moments that I want to remember. These tiny things make up my life in Ukraine, and I never want to forget them.

I'd like to share some of those moments with you, whoever you are. Maybe it will give you a peek into the wonderful, challenging, beautiful life that I am so lucky to have in Ukraine.

So, here you go:

Sitting in the kitchen and drinking tea with Sydney, surrounded by scraps of paper and cutting out pumpkin after pumpkin after pumpkin for the students that we adore. Listening to the Amelie soundtrack and cracking the window to listen to the rain.

Waking up early and catching a train with my friend Vasya to go trail running outside of the city. Running for twenty miles and ending up in a village stuck in time in the middle of nowhere. Sharing a bar of chocolate while waiting for the bus to take us back to Uzghorod.

Arriving at the orphanage to find Sasha, a student who has a very special place in my heart, waiting to greet me. Swallowing back happy tears as he grabs my hand to lead me into the classroom.

Watching the earnest faces of the students at the orphanage as they repeat the alphabet back to me. Holding back giggles as they scream: "M!!! MICKEY MOUSE!!!"

Listening to Katya, an amazing woman and a graduate of the orphanage, tell her story over a pizza. Listening to Sydney ask her: "What is the one thing you would like to tell kids in America?" Sucking in a deep breath as Katya answered quietly: "Love your parents."

Collapsing into bed every night, feeling tired but content. Waking up each morning, listening to Lord Huron, and making coffee and black bread toast.

These are little moments, but they are things I want to always remember.

Cutting my hair, kissing my parents goodbye, and getting on that plane without looking back was the best decision of my life. There is great value in leaving behind what is familiar for what is true; there is value in greeting each day with open arms even if your arms are bruised and tired. There is great value in investing in others, regardless of whether you see the return for your work or not. There is good work to be done, and I am thankful for every day. So, if you're feeling low, stretch your arms above your head, put on your best jeans, and pull your hair back. There's good work to be done, coffee to drink, runs to go on, and people to meet. This is an amazing world that we live in.