“I’m going to apply for the Peace Corps!” Words I never
expected to hear come out of my sister’s mouth. And yet, that is exactly what
she said and now, a year and some months later, we talk via Facetime as she
sits in another country, being awesome, helping to educate people and sweating
more then she thought was humanly possible.
The Peace Corps. Cool. I can handle that. Then she dropped
the bomb that serving in the Peace Corps was a two and a half year commitment.
Cue tears, and lots of them. Not because I was upset, not by any means, but
because I was going to miss her. And as the oldest of the siblings, and the
only one with kids, I was going to miss her with them. But then I thought, man,
how awesome is it going to be for her niece and nephews to tell people that
their Aunt is in another country in the Peace Corps. To get to share stories of
new cultures, new religions, and new experiences. So, as I wanted to be selfish
and tell her no, please don’t go, I’m going to miss you too much, I smiled and
laughed and cried and celebrated with her as she embarked on a journey that
would surely be a life changing experience.
I am so glad I did.
I’m so glad she had the courage to go!
She was placed in a little country named Guyana that sits
right on the border of the equator in South America. Couldn’t that be more
perfect for the girl who would rather live in Florida and never see snow again
a day in her life? Well didn’t she got her wish for the next few years! She
said it’s hot there, she sweats a lot, and it was the most exciting thing in
the whole world was when she got a fridge and freezer and could have ice cubes
in her water! I never realized just how much we took for granted here. Like ice
cubes. A vehicle. The ability to wear yoga pants on days when you just can’t
function in anything else (since it’s always hot, wearing any type of pants
there is an at-your-own-risk-of-heat-stroke type of thing).
Microwave meals for those days when cooking seems like it’s
more work than it’s worth.
Despite it all, she is thriving there. She has integrated
with her community and the people there and has made many friends. She’s
attended weddings and events that are in unfamiliar religions and cultures and
is soaking it all in. I have no doubt that every person she meets falls into a
lifelong friendship with her and she will change lives.
Her work, community health promoter, is more important than
I had ever even begun to realize. Things we think are almost common knowledge
here, is something most there haven’t ever heard of or have any idea about.
Having her there to teach the middle school youth, and their teachers, and to
put in place a lesson plan for years to come is invaluable and will be a
continuing help to the community for years even after she leaves.
Assuming she leaves. I know she misses us and misses being
here in the States, but I feel like this is her calling. This is what she was
meant to do. And I never, ever, would have guessed that. Not the girl who would
rather be on a beach with a margarita and a dozen books. Not the girl who’s
idea of roughing it, is a hotel with air conditioning. She surprised us all
with her time working on a ranch in the middle of Australia and has continued
to surprise us with her Peace Corps adventures in Guyana.
She truly embodies what the Peace Corps has set out to
accomplish in other countries and that makes her a hero in my eyes.
So every day I look forward to getting texts from her about
how life is, what she’s up to, and what the cats have dragged in (snakes and
frogs seem to be the favorite). I look forward to facetime calls where I get to
the see the cows in the front yard and the gator that is chilling in a body of water
outside her place. To hear about the wonderful work she is doing and the people
she is meeting.
I am super proud to tell people that my sister is in the
Peace Corps. I tell everyone that will listen to me.
I love you Missy!
And yes, I am now crying my eyes out as I type this, but to
be fair, it’s a family trait!
