One Year Later

Today was rough.
I'm not sure tomorrow will be much easier, either.
It's been exactly one year - a whole three hundred and sixty five days since Aviv 2011 departed JFK for Israel. Looking back, it's kind of hard to believe we did it. I've mentioned to many of my friends that I simply packed up and left for the Middle East for my sophomore spring, and many of them have trouble understanding it. "What? A semester abroad? For high school students? Woah, that's cool...did you eat a lot of hummus?" Other than that, few actually understand the magnitude of the most incredible four months of my life. It's hard to explain the stories of friends wandering to neighboring Arab villages or bargaining in the Shuk or even the songs that made us laugh and cry to those who can't even envision such situations. I've told EIE stories time and time again and received perplexed looks from my closest friends, to which I respond with, "You just had to be there." But you know what?
Thank goodness they weren't there.
Thank goodness I had the opportunity to step out of my niche and fill a new role in an amazing community. Thank goodness I was able to meet and connect with so many incredible individuals that I know are going to go so far in their lives. And, especially, thank goodness I was able to separate myself from my home community and spend an incredible semester not only discovering Israel, but discovering myself in the process. I spoke with a fellow Aviv-er today as I was emotionally distraught over some of my EIE decisions. With pieces of regret conquering my state, she responded to my distress:
"You know, it's never too late to fix what you've done wrong. I realized what a link EIE has created between all of us, even with those you weren't particularly close with. The bond between us isn't something that can be broken by some obnoxious comment or silly mistake. We're like family. You can always forgive your family."
Family - one big, happy, mishpachah. Couldn't have described it better myself.
So, dear family - thanks again for the greatest semester ever and for getting me through the remainder of this year. I'm so thankful for all you've taught me and it's a damn shame that nobody I know will understand how much you mean to me. Hope I see you all soon...one year reunion?
Much love and כל הכבוד to y'all
ʌıʌɐʌıʌ - Long Live our Spring!