"And who can say if I've been changed for better or for worse, but because of you I've been changed for good."

The sun has risen and set, the day has come and gone, and with it the trip of a life time. Working with the students and teachers at Escuela Especial has changed how I will look at things forever. What I taught the students about math and spelling is important, but what they taught me is far better. I always thought people were over exaggerating when they said the kids on the trip were like family, but I realize now that it is nothing short of the truth.

Every single student at Escuela Especial has changed my life forever. One of the most important lessons the students have taught me is that it's the little things in life that matter. I've gotten to witness so many of the "little things" this week that I am thrilled to have experienced. One of my favorite and most recent moments was with a middle school girl in Auxililladora's class. Her name is Mercedes, but she always wrote it as "Mecebes". The previous CGA kids who had been in Auxililladora's class all said to keep working with her on her d's, but not to get frustrated if she didn't get it because she really struggled with it. Sure enough, I arrived in Auxililladora's class Thursday morning to see "Mercebes" written in big letters on the top of her paper.

For nearly two hours I sat next to Mercedes, explaining and demonstrating all the possible ways to write a d. For 1 1/2 of the two hours there were still b's written all over her paper. I was almost ready to move on to writing neater r's when I thought of the last possible way to write a d. First I demonstrated 3-5 times. I then gave her the pencil and helped guide her hand to make the right motions several times as well. Then with fingers crossed, I handed her the pencil. I watched as she slowly drew a small circle and a line on the right hand side. It wasn't all that pretty of a d, but in that moment it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. "Muy bien Mercedes! Es correcto!" I said excitedly. She stared at the letter she had drawn for several seconds before jumping out of her chair and giving me what felt like a 10 minute hug. I watched as she filled her page with the letter d and the name Mercedes until lunch, and I can't remember a time I felt more proud of anyone or anything.

I will arrive back in Vail on Sunday, but I will not be the same person I was a week ago. I wear the same face as the girl who left, but a face is merely a mask. No amount of time nor any number of miles can ever sever the bond between me and the people at Escuela Especial. When I get on the plane Sunday morning, I will only have half a heart. I am leaving the other half with these kids and I wouldn't have it any other way. They may forget my name after I leave the same way I might forget some of theirs, but I will always remember the smile on their faces, their arms wrapped around me, and their fingers laced in mine. These kids have taught me that these trips are all about leaving part of yourself with them to hold on to and remember when times are hard, and that's exactly what I intend to do. So I'll come home with half my heart, but the lessons and love the students at Escuela Especial have given me will make that half stronger than my full heart ever was.