Last day - Sept. 30

Well, so much for not crying. Our last day was full of tears. At the Mother House when everyone clapped and sang for those having their last day, I was doing great until I just made eye contact with one too many who had emotions in their facial expressions and once the eyes started watering, there was no stopping them. Oh, well - it continued the rest of the morning! Before I share my last day of volunteering, I had another question that I have asked myself (we all have asked ourselves) for several days - just how many dogs do we pass on our walk from our hotel to Mother House. Well, we counted this morning - seemed like an average dog day - and came up with 53! Yes, there are a lot of them and some have definitely had a rough life, some look "normal". So, back to my last day - gotta be brief as I still have to eat lunch, pack and shower and take off for the airport. The priest who said Mass this morning thanked Garrett for his faithfulness in being an altar server and offered the Mass for his special intentions - very special. I got to Prem Dan a bit later than usual just because of all the pictures we were trying to take with other volunteers and with some of the sisters - amazing how long that all takes. It was a usual morning with laundry, bedmaking, giving warm milk, visiting, putting lotion/oil on the ladies' legs, feet, arms (wherever they want), cleaning people up, etc. It was so sad to ask some of the ladies if I could take their picture (the only time you can take pictures is on your last day). When a few of them heard that, they knew it was my last day - well, I again lost it - the tears started! I'd just get back to normal when I'd share with another lady that I was leaving... The most difficult were with two ladies, Helen and Potama. Potama is the one I have fed each day for lunch. I didn't think she would understand but she did and she started crying (which got me crying!). After lunch, she rocked back and forth with her hands in a praying position, going from her forehead out to me numerous times. It was so touching, so humbling. These ladies have touched my life - they are very special. Hopefully, I have left with them the love of Jesus. Lots of hugs with the other volunteers - a wonderful group of people. Well I must go get some lunch - last meal at the Blue Sky and then begin the serious business of packing and coming home! Please keep us in your prayers for safe travel!