caitgeary:

My bones ache and I feel like my hip flexors have turned to bricks. My back hurts from leaning forward to better listen and I’ve drank way too much caffeine within the past 30+ hours.

I love it.

This could’ve possibly been one of the most exhausting weekends I’ve had in a while. Forget the four day swim meets; driving, setting up, eating, listening. talking. sharing. explaining, dancing, loving, packing up, driving some more, napping, singing, walking, hurting, laughing….it could go on and on, but they’ve taken a toll, far beyond any swim meet; toll on my legs, my heart, and my soul.

We spent much of Friday driving to and from Sarasota, FL for an event where TWLOHA was one of the charities being showcased. The event was great; one of our first opportunities as a unit of interns to get to share our message and start conversation. With Chad and Emmi as our shepherds, I think we did a great job in connecting with people of all sorts. I think that was a confirmation for me in pursuing this opportunity. I’ve always loved meeting new people and finding common ground with which I can fuse a conversation. Back at Auburn, something that I enjoyed most about being on the team was recruiting weekends and Chad pointed out that what we were doing was kind of like that; being able to articulate a passion and sharing it with someone else in hopes of them gaining a better understanding. The event was fun, but the company was incredible. We met lots of new people, but I continued to connect with the people with whom I work even more.

I had the opportunity to hear someone’s story that really resinated with my heart. Coming from very different walks of life, it was incredibly comforting to be able to relate with someone on such a deep level. He carries himself with an aura of such strength, so it made his vulnerability and honesty that much more meaningful. We talked a lot about grace and forgiveness, which is still something I’m attempting to fully grasp, but it’s great to be surrounded by such positive examples of what they truly mean. We joke around that while some of the staff that we look up to are so young, they’ve lived so much of life and are wise far beyond their years…

Whether it was crossing our “banana pancake” boundary, creating our own wicked dance party, or hearing someone’s powerful story, I feel like Friday helped me reassure myself that I’m where I’m supposed to be.

…After about two/three quick hours of rest on Saturday morning, we were up again to head to my hometown for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk. Again, we had the incredible opportunity to talk about what we do and who we are as an organization. Some conversations were heavy and sad while others left me inspired and sporting goose bumps. We answer messages everyday, but I think having a face to face conversation with someone is the most powerful form of communication, especially in our society today as it tends to get lost. I loved taking moments to sit back and watch and listen while TWLOHA staff and my fellow interns talked with people, because I couldn’t help but feel so blessed to be a part of something like this with people who care so much.

Lord knows I’ll be taking this day of rest to the max because of how tired and run down I feel. I complain that my body hurts and I need sleep, but I know that I feel like this because of how alive I am. My legs hurt from dancing too much with friends. My back hurts because I stood up as I engaged in conversations that were so important. Oh yeah, and my abs hurt from laughing too much. I think of these as my growing pains, because as much as I believe that I’m here to change others, this place is helping me grow in leaps and bounds as well, so I welcome it, I even love it.