If people do not already know I left 2 days ago for reasons do to my health. I just wanted to post one blog because I never got the chance to post in Bonafide.
Two and a half months ago I signed up for a gap year program that was headed to Central America. I had no clue who I was going to meet, what my experience would be, and how my life would change.
I only set a couple of expectations for myself because I did not know what was going to happen over the next couple of months. These expectations included making new friends, creating new habits, and learning how to see situations through eyes of another person. I have done all of that and more.
I have found my brothers and sisters that I never had. I have completed a 3 day trek and thrown a Frisbee off of a volcano. I have had an imaginary son named Anakin who still is with me here in Seattle. I have become a better Spanish speaker in only a couple of months. I have helped communities and projects that I never knew existed. I have held the hands of 5 other men while looking into their eyes and telling them something about myself that no one else would know. But I did all of this with the help of 12 other amazing people encouraging me along the way. I know that no one else will understand everything that I have been through besides those 12 others which is why I am so upset to have left early. But, I know I am doing the right thing for myself and I know my brothers and sisters only want the best for me.
I have gone out and accomplished everything I wanted to do and I am more than proud of that. Carpe diem has opened my eyes to things that I had never thought about until now. Mac and Jess, You both have done the most amazing job in world helping me grow and prosper into the man I want to become in the future. I know I have a ways to go but I can tell that I have changed a lot.
If there is one thing that I have learned from this experience it is this. I am a human being and I will make mistakes but, that does not mean that I am better or worse than someone else. We all make mistakes but how we prevail shows our true colors.
I know this isn’t a goodbye forever and I want you all to know I love you so much. Thank you for letting the real Sam come out. I know I am probably one of the most ridiculous people you guys have ever met but thank you for loving me for me.
Sam S, Swanson(Jess), 50 swifty, T Cent, Big Sam
