The Big Under

Well, I’m down to my last day before I leave.  I’ve done the shopping, the shots, the prepping, the planning, the research, the just about everything, and now it’s finally time.  Time to give up my old life and give myself to a greater cause for the next 2 years.  Blimey. 

I’m not sure I like the idea of turning over my entire persona to the mission, though.  I mean, this last weekend was my birthday and I had dozens of relatives pouring into my home to hear my farewell talk.  None of them remembered that it was my birthday.  I know that sounds immature and churlish (whatever the heck churlish means), but it kind of hurt for everyone to give me sage advice on how bloody difficult the mission will be and completely ignore the fact that I was trying to celebrate me.  Time to grow up, I guess.

In any case, this whole thing is kind of a whirlwind-type craziness that hasn’t let me figure out which way is up yet.  This whole week has been a vertigo of preparation and missionary mayhem.  I’ve tried to do some things I like to do that I’ll miss on my mission (like soccer, video games, and sleeping,) but they inevitably get interrupted by people not-so-subtly hinting that I should be doing something more productive, like reading the Book of Mormon, highlighting Preach My Gospel, or fasting.  Wah. 

Likewise, my remaining friends have all sort of given me a last wave, smiling as they tell me that they’ll never see me again.  Odds are they’ll be married, away at school, drafted into the space marines, or in a mental institution when I return in 2 years, but even if that’s their destiny, they could at least pretend to plan on seeing me again.  Honestly. 

And I’m not dying.  Contrary to popular belief, I will return from my mission whole and healthy.  My mother accidentally let slip a few days ago that “If you get back from your mission…”  ?!?  Of course I’m coming home!  So people really don’t need to shake my hand somberly, smile grimly, and whisper that it was nice knowing me.  I’m going on a mission to Tacoma, not serving a tour of duty on Hoth.  Give me a break.

Well, devoted reader, this isn’t the end.  With luck, I will have someone post my clever witticisms and the like on the blog, so don’t worry about not hearing from me.  At the same time, you should be able to email someone to get my weekly email forwards.  Also, write to me to get personal responses.  I’ll write back.  I promise.  See you later, guys.

Sam