Life, Happiness, and Sad Goodbyes

    I love each and every staff member at the shelter!!! They are truly amazing people with wonderful hearts. I can't wait to see each and every one of you again. Soon enough, we shall be reunited. :)
    They have a special place in my heart because they've all left their mark on me.

    I've been analyzing things recently. Looking at my life now, I can honestly say.... I'm happy. There are wonderful people in my life who mean the world to me. I know I can always count on them to help me through the day, if only by bringing a smile to my face.
    I'm actually doing what I want to do. I'm almost done with school (which has presented much more of a challenge than I originally planned for). I'm volunteering each and every free moment of my time.

    You all make me so happy!! I wish you could understand.

    Now to talk about some sad times. I held my goodbyes at the shelter until today. I couldn't bare to let everyone know I was leaving until I was actually walking out the door. I barely held it together then. Imagine what I would have been like if I told them earlier. I would have fallen apart right then and there.
    I have spent 126 hours of my time at the shelter in four months. To tell you the truth, I wish I could have spent more of my time there. With all I've given, I want to give more. Not only do I get to help give the animals a good life, but I get to put smiles on the faces of every person who walks into that shelter (or at least try).
    Whether I'm playing with the dogs in the runs, picking up poop, cleaning the floor, assisting with adoption visits, or training new volunteers.... I have a smile on my face.
    I belong there.

I'm cycling through happiness and emptiness. I'm happy, well, because my life is something I want it to be. I feel empty because I just left half of me behind. 

The goodbyes were so sad. A few hugs, a few attempts to hide tears, and many kind words. <3

I'll miss it like crazy. It helps a little knowing that our longest residents went home in the past week, just in time for me to leave and not have to worry about them. Things have this crazy way of working out.

I'll be back..... and it will only get better. And I'll keep in touch while I'm gone. I'm bringing balloons when I get back, because I'm going to through my own happy party with happy dance included. :)