24 I think

Work started again on Thursday and I tried hard for news not to get out about my birthday. I dont know why we do that but I never want it to be a big deal. This week turned out to be a rather tough one, though. Whether or not it was building up so i enjoyed my birthday or whether i made it difficult due to the fact that i didnt really want to be there, there is no telling. Probably both. We dealt with two mountain ranges, an accumulative full day of rain, a night of sleet and snow, a 7 mile in the dark hike, and long semi slept nights. We did a feedback gathering with the kids and they said i was being really abrupt and quick in responding to them, without even listening to their side of the story. An eyeopening moment for me. The week felt like I just went through the motions and did not really get through to the kids. So we get to our camp, consisting of a Tipi and individual shelters for the students, around twelve at night. Waking up we find a layer of frost on the ground and set out to build a fire and work on teachings with the students. Having lost track of the world around us we felt like Tuesday was the 26th of September and celebrated my birthday as if it was. They brought out a nice chocolate cake with my name spelled on it and the five of us devoured it excitedly. Wednesday happens and we take the kids to the office to go home. While there i turn my cell phone back on to find the date reading the 26th. Huh, i thought to myself, thats funny. Back to Tuesday, the students of course wanting to know how old i am to which i commonly reply "how old do you think i am?". Maybe the physical drain of the week cut off my brain, im not sure, but i was convinced that i had just turned 25. A little saddened by the fact it never felt right saying it, yet it went on all day. Only later in the afternoon was i empowered in the discovery that the years add up to 24. So a day early I gained a year of my life back, as if i had traveled over a time zone barrier, and it was nice. Thank you family for your calls and singing and love and support. I am fortunate to be 24 and excited for the experiences and challenges of this next year.