Life is always full of transitions. Every one experiences
transitions on a daily basis. Some transitions are small, some are big. Some are
welcomed and others are not. Some are easy and some are difficult. Regardless of the transition, if one allows, a period of growth occurs. Through all transitions, even the difficult ones, there is beauty. We can see this beauty only if we open our hearts to each transition.
Recently, I have expereinced many transitions. All of these transitions have been God-led; however they all have not been the easiest.
On December 18th, I transitioned from months in Haiti to a month in the states. Only 4 weeks in the states...back to the familiarity of the states, of my home, of my family and friends. This should have been an easy transition, right?! But I quickly realized upon returning to the states that the familiarity was gone. What was familiar to me just a few months back was now unfamiliar territory. It was no longer my comfort, my normal. It was different. There is no other words to describe it...it was just different. But the beauty in this was that I had places to go back to. I had friends and family to catch up with and I had old patients and families to visit.
In the short 5 months I lived in Haiti, I developed a life there with new relationships, new friends, a new lifestyle. All of which had become the normal for me. All of which had become my comfort. Leaving all of this behind was not the easiest. I knew that it was my time to go and I knew that God was leading me to new adventures, new opportunities. I had peace about leaving, but that did not make it the easiest. I know that most of my new friendships would be reliant strictly on technology and the chances of me seeing people in the physical form is slim to none. I also know that it is most likely, over time, these friendships may dwindle. That is tough...but the memories will last a lifetime and for that I am forever grateful.
In the short 5 months I lived in Haiti, I developed a life there with new relationships, new friends, a new lifestyle. All of which had become the normal for me. All of which had become my comfort. Leaving all of this behind was not the easiest. I knew that it was my time to go and I knew that God was leading me to new adventures, new opportunities. I had peace about leaving, but that did not make it the easiest. I know that most of my new friendships would be reliant strictly on technology and the chances of me seeing people in the physical form is slim to none. I also know that it is most likely, over time, these friendships may dwindle. That is tough...but the memories will last a lifetime and for that I am forever grateful.
The month in the states borught about the holidays, moving all my stuff, selling my car, preparing for the next transition to Haiti, and saying goodbye to family and friends once again. The month in states went by smoothly and quickly. The fact that even the weather was good and there were no speed bumps in the 4 weeks is amazing. I was so grateful for the 4 weeks back home in Missouri and Illinois. The 4 weeks flew by and I soon found myself another plane heading to Haiti...
Another transition. I was headed to a different town and to a different "job". Out of the big city of Croix-des Bouquets to the smaller citty of Gressier. Out of an established therapy clinic with other therapists to a non-existant therapy clinic with no other therapists. Transitioning to a new living situation with new people. Transitioning to simply a different, unknown life within Haiti. This transition was thankfully easy. I do not say that in a prideful manner. I was extremely blessed and Iit was simply just easy. I think this truly shows how amazing God is and how "easy" something can be when it is in God's plan. It was not a struggle to begin in this new setting. Once I arrived, I immediately felt comfortable and at home.
Then 3 weeks after this transition on February 7th, I was back on a plane headed for Philadelphia. Yes, another transition. Although this was not a long term transition, it was a transition none the less. I was headed to the states with a young girl from Haiti for her rehabilitation post scoliosis surgery (more on this later). I was on another unfamiliar journey to another unfamiliar environment with more unfamiliar people. All I knew was that I was going to be the temporary caregiver for this young girl. I knew that I was flipping roles from therapist to caregiver. I will say the time here has been amazing and I have learned a lot of life lessons about being the sole caregiver for someone...lessons that I am grateful for and will only help me in my future work as a therapist. (Again, more on this in a future post).
Now, it just 10 days, I will be transitioning back to Haiti. Another transition. Although, this one doesn't seem too much like a transition, just a "going back home" type of feeling. But after 2 months of "living" here in Philadelphia, it will be sort of a transition to leave here. Caila and I have gotten to know other families, other kids, therapists, nurses, drivers, and numerous other staff members. All of which have been our familiarity for 2 months. As we are both ready to head back to Haiti, extremely ready, we will both miss seeing and conversing with everyone here on a daily basis.
Transitions. They are a part of our every day life. They can be a struggle, they can be easy. All have beauty hidden within them. Even through the unknown, there is beauty - God given beauty. God leads us down certain paths in life and only He knows the end destination. We just have to be willing to follow his guidance. He has already traveled our paths, He has already encountered our transitions. We have to put all of our trust and faith in Him and know deep within our hearts that He will guide us every step of the way. And along the way we must open our hearts and see the beauty that lies within each step....I am eager to see what transitions he puts in my path in the future....
Then 3 weeks after this transition on February 7th, I was back on a plane headed for Philadelphia. Yes, another transition. Although this was not a long term transition, it was a transition none the less. I was headed to the states with a young girl from Haiti for her rehabilitation post scoliosis surgery (more on this later). I was on another unfamiliar journey to another unfamiliar environment with more unfamiliar people. All I knew was that I was going to be the temporary caregiver for this young girl. I knew that I was flipping roles from therapist to caregiver. I will say the time here has been amazing and I have learned a lot of life lessons about being the sole caregiver for someone...lessons that I am grateful for and will only help me in my future work as a therapist. (Again, more on this in a future post).
Now, it just 10 days, I will be transitioning back to Haiti. Another transition. Although, this one doesn't seem too much like a transition, just a "going back home" type of feeling. But after 2 months of "living" here in Philadelphia, it will be sort of a transition to leave here. Caila and I have gotten to know other families, other kids, therapists, nurses, drivers, and numerous other staff members. All of which have been our familiarity for 2 months. As we are both ready to head back to Haiti, extremely ready, we will both miss seeing and conversing with everyone here on a daily basis.
Transitions. They are a part of our every day life. They can be a struggle, they can be easy. All have beauty hidden within them. Even through the unknown, there is beauty - God given beauty. God leads us down certain paths in life and only He knows the end destination. We just have to be willing to follow his guidance. He has already traveled our paths, He has already encountered our transitions. We have to put all of our trust and faith in Him and know deep within our hearts that He will guide us every step of the way. And along the way we must open our hearts and see the beauty that lies within each step....I am eager to see what transitions he puts in my path in the future....
