"It's good to have an end to journey towards, but it's the journey that matters in the end"

The end of the trip is very quickly approaching, and I feel as if I don't have enough time with these children at all! I remember following last years blogs, and reading about how sad they were that the trip is almost over. I remember reading about their party at the end and how torn they all were because of us leaving, but I never really understood how attached you can get.
In the past two weeks, these kids were, and still are my life. Everything to me. I just cant believe that it went by as fast as it did. I don't think it's even possible.

6-21
Today was the last "work day" at the orphanage. Creek, Nicole, and I all started off by cleaning a back room that is part of the orphanage, but doesn't really get used for anything. We cleaned that room, so now it can become as another area to cook in. This will make it a lot easier to get food out on the plates, so I'm very excited we could do that for them.
In the afternoon, we played some games and hung around. This was the time that I felt most connected to them, because I knew that we would have to leave them soon. Also because every day that I'm with them, I get more attached so the thought of leaving them tomorrow startled me.

6-22
Their cute little laughs filled with happiness, their outrageously big smiles, and their adorably cute faces. These are the things that I'm going to miss most. I can't even start to tell you how much of an emotional day it was for everyone.
We had a great dance party that was incorporated with amazing songs, crazy dancers, and loving people. It was the best party I have ever been to! About an hour before we knew we had to leave, we played our last song. This was the best last dance you could wish for because everyone was still overwhelmed with joy. Their dancing makes my day, highlights my week, and brightens my year. I love them all way to much to have said goodbye for the last time.
I'll tell you right now, as soon as the last second of the song ended, there were pouring waterfalls of tears everywhere that the eye could see. This lasted so long I couldn't keep track. Its was just one hug after the other. Everyone at the orphanage, had something different to say.
Some of the main ones that I can remember clearly were:  when can I see you again? I want you to come back! I will miss you. I love you. See you soon.
Every time there was a remark I started bawling, because I had absolutely no response. I just froze up when hugging them as tightly as I could. I kept saying I'll miss you too and I love you too. Which is what made this trip what it was. Love.
One of the boys at the orphanage that I became really close to, Nirot, gave me about 20 hugs total. It was the best feeling in the universe to have him in my arms, knowing that I have done my job well. He also asked me to be his sister, and my response was an immediate yes. He was the last person that I hugged in the orp0hanage.
Once we stepped in the tuk tuk to go back to the guest house, and after the last child stopped running with us, tears would not stop pouring out.  I was the only one who was still crying at the end of our 45 minute tuk tuk ride. It was just the worst feeling in the world to leave them.

I do know that I left these children in a safer place than when we first arrived, and also that we made them happy every second from the time we set foot into the orphanage, to the time we walked out.

I miss and love them all so much my heart aches to leave them. I'm so glad I got this experience to make these children feel special.

"It's good to have an end to journey towards, but it's the journey that matters in the end"
~Ursala K. LeGuin