This term has several new meanings to me. I came back to Indiana and got to see many people that have impacted my life. Seeing my camper Grace was amazing. We only got to see each other for a couple of hours but it seemed as if we were back at camp all over again. She has grown into such a beautiful young woman that clearly inspires everyone around her with her faith and passion. Then, I got to meet up with my youth director Kristin. I still remember when she came into our Trinity community several years ago. It was awesome to talk with her about life in Valpo, our church community, and my life out in SD. I've grown up with her and it makes me smile to see Kristin, prospering at church and with her little family of three :) After lunch, Kristin dropped me off at the school where I student taught, Baily Elementary. I managed to get there in time to surprise my cooperating teacher and my now third graders. I stepped out into the cafeteria and immediately heard shouts of, "Miss Garwood,"! It was so good to hear that again. Honestly, it's still odd to hear my kindergarten kids call me Miss Abby after all this time. I got swarmed and they all wanted to update me on their lives. Geez, my kids had sprouted! Maybe I'm just used to kindergarten kids, but boy were my third graders huge :) I was so happy to be back at Baily and it felt like I never left. After seeing my kids I went to visit my best friend's mom, Mrs. Callaway, who teaches fourth grade at Baily. On the way to lunch, she told me to go visit her daughter (my best friend Cassie) since she was at home just across the street. With my European backpack in tow I quickly ran over to her house, rang the doorbell, and hid behind the side of the house. Then, I heard Cassie laughing and screaming with excitement. It was so wonderful to see and surprise her after five long months a part. I even got to see her dad and toddler Leo too. I'm so glad that I didn't tell any of my Chesterton friends that I was coming back. Surprising them was so much better!
Today I got to see my other best friend, April. We've been best friends since our freshman year of college and don't plan on that stopping anytime soon. We met up at our favorite diner and swapped stories of being in a kindergarten classroom. I love being around April because I can really be me. She makes me laugh and inspires me to be the best person I can be. I'm so grateful that even though we're done with college that our friendship hasn't stopped.
On another note though this trip home has been a lot more challenging than I ever dreamed. My parents told me that they thought teaching on the Rez wasn't a permanent idea for me. They thought I would come back after two or three years and work in a public Indiana school. It's hard to stomach. I love teaching on the Rez and even though it is difficult at times I wouldn't change it for the world. They also said that I've changed into a different person. Yes, maybe I have. It's like my mom said, she's not used to a young person having this perspective of the world. Being on the Rez has taught me about what really matters in life. It makes me frustrated when people out here spend so much money on things that don't really matter-how expensive their TV is, getting a newer car, or buying tickets on luxurious events that my kids could only dream of. Many of the people in Valpo don't know how lucky they are. Many of them have worked hard to get where they are at, it's true. Living out at Red Cloud has made me more aware of what it means to live simply and intentionally. I don't want to be back in Indiana for an extended period of time besides the summer. It is hard to say this, but my home isn't Valpo anymore. Pine Ridge is now my home. I'm glad I got a chance to come back, but I'm excited to get back to Red Cloud. Time for progress reports, practicing Christmas songs, the Christmas party, crafts, and playing with my kids in the snow...
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