ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh. I got a message from Gordon on Sunday saying that there may be another spot for me on a FedEx plane that is leaving on SATURDAY! That's right, folks, Saturday, February 13th. That leaves me with all of five days now to visit my grandparents, get my butt back up to Portland, pack my bags, fly to Memphis, and be ready for the flight leaving on Saturday morning. I cannot even begin to express just how ecstatic I am about this. American Airlines keeps postponing their opening of flights from Miami to Port-au-Prince. They just have no idea of when flights will be open now, it's been postponed until further notice. I'm praying and crossing my fingers that there will be an open spot for me on that plane.
I was reading Le Bonheur blog (http://www.lebonheur.org/blogs/lebonheurresponds/?) and looking at pictures, recognized Carolina, a doctor with America Solidaria working at Klinik Sentespri, and almost started crying reading about people I've worked with. Not crying because they're hurt, they're all just fine, but just because I miss Haiti so much and I feel so useless here and, frankly, jealous that they have already made it back to Haiti and are working again. I don't know if it's because USA is such a large country and we have to go through so much bureaucracy, but things are just moving so slowly here! It's incredibly frustrating. So the blog was a much-needed lifeline back to my friends and my other life in Haiti.
The best thing, I think, about going back, is to finally see my friends and colleagues and see that they're alright. I have heard from many people that they were not hurt in the earthquake, but to see them with my own eyes will mean so, so much more to me. To hug them and know, absolutely, that they're healthy and safe will mean more to me than just about anything. Starting work at the clinic again will be refreshing, I will be put to use where I can do the most good. Speaking Creole and French again will also be a joy, improving my communication and becoming more self-sufficient is wonderful in that environment.
Basically, I am over the moon to think that I may be leaving for Haiti on Saturday. A month after the earthquake, I am finally heading back to my other family to see just what can be done to help this country. I'm finally being put to use, doing my part for a country I have come to respect and love and am proud of. I don't know of anything else that can give you this kind of high, this joy, this sense of partnership with the rest of humanity.
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