Peace Corps, Vava'u Tonga, South Pacific - 2002 - 2004
So this is the "toughest job you'll ever love!" With the last of my children out of college and launched into their own lives, it was time to look for an adventure for myself. I chose the Peace Corps because the idea of traveling to a far away place in a very different world appealed to me, as well as being able to give back some of the experience and knowledge I'd gained. I almost went to one of the "Stans" in eastern Europe, but a family crisis kept me home that time and my new assignment turned out to be in the South Pacific. I was thrilled. I love the sea and the South Pacific seemed such an exotic destination. I left just after the catastrophic events of September 11th and was away for two and a half years. It turned out to be the most amazing adventure of my life, if you don't count raising four children as an adventure, but that's a whole other story. In any case, my time spent in the Peace Corps is time I will never regret. As much as I gave of myself, I gained so much more. I met people from all around the world and made some very special new friendships. I now have a second family half a world away who welcome me back for visits with as much love and enthusiasm as my own family and my life will be forever richer for the experience.
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