I'm really lucky that my dad isn't a weepy kind of guy.
We were standing at the entrance to the security line at the Oakland Airport and I was just staring at him like a lost lamb. My only thought was five months, five months, I'm not going to see my family for five months.
I couldn't even allow myself to be scared when saying goodbye to my mom or else I might have sat down on the couch and refused to go. I just said a goodbye like another other -- as if I was just leaving for the store or a friend's house -- with a simple hug and kiss on her forehead.
All week I've been fighting the fear that I'm in way over my head -- that this trip was way too much for me to handle and that I had been spending more time day dreaming than actually planning. When I addressed my fears to my mom, she said:
"Do you know up from down?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Do you know right from wrong?"
"For the most part."
"Are you stupid?"
"No."
"Do you know where your mom is?"
"Yes."
"You'll be fine."
It was hard for me to remember that while standing petrified in front of my dad. Then he gave me his "be brave hug." He gave me a big hug and a squeeze to let me know he loves me and then quickly releases me with a pat on the back to let me know that I'm on my own. He reminded me that this is what I wanted, to expand my horizons.
One thought got me on the plane that day: you can't grow as a person while being in your comfort zone.
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