Closing Time

The center is finally finished! It looks amazing. We have working computers, a great conference room, a pretty sign, the whole shebang. Students are using it and Michel is full of fantastic ideas about what he wants to do in terms of programs. Anna, my friend in a neighboring village, actually heard students there talking about it! Everyone sounds really excited. I feel like I’ve done my job and am leaving it in capable hands, which is a really nice feeling to have. Thank you all again for your support, this could not have happened without you.

So, 37 days until I complete my service and leave Togo! Do I end that sentence with an exclamation point? I’m not really sure. I’m excited but leaving is, predictably, bittersweet. Togo has become home over the last couple of years and is familiar, if not completely comfortable. I could say the same for America at this point; it is familiar, but not completely comfortable.

I remember during my first week in country I looked at my schedule of stage (training) and startd to cry. There were many days I was sure I wouldn’t make it through the first 11 weeks, let alone 2 years at my post. It is completely surreal to me that I have actually lived here and done what I set out to do. I kow I should be proud of myself, but right now I’ just kind of shocked. Part of me still feels like I’m back at work in Boston, trying to make the decision to leave everything and everyone and move to Africa. For all that the days dragged by here, the two years absolutely flew.

I am in the process of writing my final reports (so much paperwork!), selling/giving away everything in my house, planning a final dinner with village friends, getting Ayi registered on my ticket to the States, saying goodbye to fellow volunteers…the list goes on. My head is spinning and I tend to hate Togo one day and love it the next. This last month is a lot like ripping of a band-aid very, very slowly. I know leaving is going to hurt, so I wish I could just do it and get it over with. The one overwhelming feeling I have is excitement to see all of you. It will be so good to be home.