Pre-Birthday letter...

Dear Friends and Family,

As 2008 races forward and my 30^th birthday knocks at my door, I want to reflect and share my previous year with you - A year full of new people and new places!

I came across this poem last month as I was going through documents I saved from when I was in college. It further inspired my desire to send a letter to friends and family near and far away.

As many of you know, I ended my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in July 2007. I was working as a Community Health Volunteer with Emesco Development Foundation in Karuguzza, of the western central part of Uganda. However, after ten months in country, I developed unresolved complications from presumed malaria and choose to return to America.

The bounty of relationships I developed during my short time in Uganda can not compare to any other time in my life. I often think about my friends in Uganda and think about how different our lives are. My readjustment back to life in America has been without major effort. My only struggle has been in my efforts to hold on to the values of simplicity, sustainability and social responsibility in a highly developed and fast paced American culture.

My family and boyfriend, Theo, may make fun of my low-cost living lifestyle – but, I have already seen my example have a positive influence in the lives of others. Theo is a Flint Town native and we are an inter-racial couple. He has not only shown me a different side of Flint, the town I grew up in, but has made my transition back to life in Michigan that much more enjoyable. Our relationship has supported my ability to adapt, change and grow.

During the previous few months the dynamics of my family have also seen change and encouraged growth.

After over a year of searching, my mother purchased a house! It’s a fixer-upper in the country, has lots of potential and makes her happy!

My Grandma, mom’s mom, is moving into a retirement community.

My cousin, her husband and my Uncle have moved out to Wyoming for work outside of the depressed economy of Michigan. My Aunt will soon join them in the coming weeks.

My sister and brother-in-law had their first child! Nicholas Michael Gosselin. And, no – I have not caught the ‘baby making bug’. I will however, be babysitting for them while they work during the day - on a trial basis J

Since November, I have been working as a Paraprofessional at our local Alternative High School in their night classes. The position is ideal with part-time, night hours and leaves my days and weekends free to invest in my Pure Romance business.

I love being a Pure Romance Consultant. I love the products and my clients. Being self employed has been the BEST decision I have ever made. I now feel the only barriers to what I want are all self created and with in reach to move beyond.

One item still on my goal sheet is to finish that Bachelors degree. After I returned from the Peace Corps, I enrolled in the Peace Corps Baccalaureate degree program at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. It is a partnership with the Peace Corps to develop an individualized degree and award credits for college level learning while in the Peace Corps. I am completing all of my remaining credits online and should graduate in May 2009! Yet another tool to add to my tool box ~

As a part of my community re-entry into Michigan/America I started attending the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint. I found people and a denomination that share my values of religious pluralism, greater understanding and expanded vision. I am now a member and serve as their Volunteer Coordinator.

I am living in a small apartment in an old Victorian home in downtown Flushing, Michigan. It is just enough for me and my in-home business. I eagerly await a warm spring so I can get back to my daily power walks and bicycling through the small downtown area and along the river path. During the winter I got a membership to the local YMCA and truly enjoy watching TV while I worked out, as I still do not have a TV in my home!

I intended to write this letter before last Christmas…It takes so much effort, not so much time, to get me to stop and reflect on the days behind me. It’s a part of my nature, I suppose, to always be looking for the next adventure just over the horizon. But, when I do take the time I am always grateful for those who have crossed my path and continue to shape my direction.

May this find you well and let us try to keep in touch!

Peace and bless,

CARRIE