It was a long journey home, but I have safely returned to Alabama! After landing and going through dreadful customs at the airport, I was so excited to be able to run into the arms of my mom and dad. I even enjoyed a nice Chick-Fil-A meal on the way home :). While I have a constant reminder of everything I experienced the past week, it is nice to be able to understand the language, sleep in my own bed, eat lots of fried food, and even be able to brush my teeth with the tap water (something I could not do in Greece).
My trip to Greece has definitely changed me. It has changed my perspective. I worked with men, women, and children who went from everything (literally families that were practically millionaires) to nothing. I am so grateful for the food on my table, a roof over my head, the clothes on my body and will never take any of that for granted. But put this in perspective… these refugees were thankful for a small tent overcrowded with people, water that was probably not healthy to consume, a Dum Dum sucker, and someone who made them feel known and loved… experience that and the comfort of your life at home will quickly slap you in the face, trust me. It can be frustrating when I hear family and friends (and even myself) complaining about the smallest things, but I have to continually remind myself that sometimes they do not understand because they have not experienced what you have.
I miss Greece, no doubt. I miss my fellow team members. I miss the refugees I worked with. I miss the beautiful country I got to look at every day. But I must complete what needs to be done here in Alabama and maybe one day I will be able to return to the country that I have fallen in love with. Greece will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you for following my journey through Greece and as always… ROLL TIDE!
