When I Come Back Down

I am officially counting this as Day One: September 2, 2012. I am sitting in the Hilton near JFK after a four hour flight from Colorado to New York (part one of the 36 hour journey: complete!!) I am trying to enjoy this nice hotel room while I have it because I know a bed this nice and a shower this hot are going to be hard to come by for the next two months, but that doesn't help how lonely it feels. One thing for sure,  I am so lucky to have my parents with me for this portion of the trip ( I say goodbye to them tomorrow as they are headed off to Scotland on their own adventure), but saying goodbye to Derek was HARD, and no amount of semi-decent hotel restaurant food and HBO will make this day any easier. I always judged those couples that would kiss and hug each other goodbye in the airport, crying as they parted, but today I have a new found appreciation for those couples because I became one.  I am sorry for ever judging you. I kind of wished I could tell everyone I passed, who looked at my red cheeks and puffed up nose with a curious and pitiful look, that I was not a wimp who was just taking a 2 day business trip but that I was going 12,000 miles away from my fiance and life here for two months in Africa!

Time to put on my big girl panties and accept that this is actually happening. Part one of three complete, no looking back now, Here I GO!
 
No pictures of cute monkeys today, all I have for tonight is a song by Nickle Creek which, although I sob everytime I hear it, is helping me get through the next couple of days. I love you Derek!

Listen to the song here!

"When You Come Back Down"

You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flying high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I'll keep looking up, awaiting your return
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line
Connecting in between your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call
Angel, you were born to fly, If you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall

[Bridge:]
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare

I'll still be there
When you come back down
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down