I received my permit for entry into Canada yesterday. It came much quicker than I was expecting. I think in this case, procrastination paid off. Sounds like the permit office was swamped last month and it was taking a while for some of the other hikers to receive their permits. Sending it in behind the herd seems to have allowed a speedy return.Yesterday, I told the last of the families I work with that I was leaving at the end of the month. I work with autistic kids as a behavior therapist, three of the families I have been with for almost two years now. I've been really worried how the families would react. It's been a mixed bag, a couple of the families seemed OK, one family has been quite upset, yesterday's family seemed happy which was a relief! I haven't really felt myself the last month or so, and I think the kids I work with have picked up on it. There's something different about actually vocalizing "I'm leaving" than just thinking about it in my mind. It becomes more real. More permanent. I talked to one of the kids I've been with for about two years who has a pretty good understanding of what's going on around him, and tried to explain to him that I was leaving and what I was going to be doing. It was the first time, this time around, I really felt the sting that comes with a goodbye. Thankfully, he just kind of looked at me and said, "Well, when you leave you can buy me an Ultimate Godzilla 2010 toy as a goodbye gift!"
Great story, Mark. Can you sleep with all the anticipation? Leaving is difficult. Sounds like you are doing it with grace.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, I've been having a little trouble sleeping as of late. Last week I had a dream I got swept downstream trying to cross a creek. I woke up before I found out how it ended :(
ReplyDeleteSuch an journey it all is.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have a lot to think about on the trail!
I guess you don't have plans for when the trek is done. You may be changed a bit by then, eh?
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteYou know, I hiked the Long Trail in Vermont back in 2001, and I used that hike as a way to do some soul searching and try to figure out a life plan. When I look back on it, I feel I may have missed a lot because I was thinking too much. Right now I wonder if on the Long Trail I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing- Hiking! Why think of what's next when you are doing what you are supposed to do in the first place!
Actually, when the trek is done, I'd like to start planning for hiking the Sierra High Route in August 2011.
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