Every exit line is an entry

“There’s a trick to the 'graceful exit.' It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over — and let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out.” 

I turned 23 this week. I'll be honest and say I've felt 23 for awhile now, but finally having the day roll around makes it official. I had prepared myself for the fact that a birthday on the road would be hard - anyone who knows me knows how much I love birthdays - but I was still taken aback by how difficult it was. Being in a strange state surrounded by not a soul who knows you can be rough on a day when you're supposed to feel special. Regardless the women of Theta Beta were so sweet to help me celebrate, and I thank them for the text messages, the birthday cake, and for the safe keeping of the package my mom was sure to ship all the way to South Carolina. Special thanks to you too, Mom :)

But I was also surprised. Who called me on my birthday to make sure I knew while today would be hard, there were people out there who were thinking of me? Two consultant sisters. I was aware this job had collided me together with 9 strangers from across the country due to a shared experience that no one else could understand; but how fitting that it be them, who have never celebrated a birthday with me in all my 23 years, be the ones that take the time to call. Distance really does teach you some things.

At present I am wheels up for my final visit between me and setting foot in Portland again for the first time since January! Then one visit to CT, a wrap-up and goodbye tour in Philly, a week in ATL and a long-awaited reunion with all the ADPi LCs, and then that's it. Over. Done. Finito.

It's crazy to me that something I have poured so much in to can be done, just like that. A title that for all intensive purposes has  become my identity this year ("Hi, I'm Kashia. I'm The LC") will fall away as I transition back in to the 'real' world with my friends and family in the place I call home. 

 

Speaking of home - if you happen to be in the PDX airport later this week, keep an eye out for a 20-something with two pieces of luggage half her size sprinting (as best as possible, the aforementioned luggage makes things difficult) out of the airport. That'll be me. Can't wait to see you soon, #BestCoast!