Day 6: "I'm gonna try not to get emotional, but no promises"

I hate leaving.  If you know me at all, I prolong goodbyes for as long as possible.  I may have mild to extreme separation anxiety, just maybe.  LeaderShape was no exception.  I hated every single thing that was a "last."  Our last meal, my last morning run, our last Inspiration, our last Learning Community meeting, our last family time, taking down the posters in our family room, graduation, watching everyone board the bus to the airport, and then actually driving away.

One of the things I remember most about the last day was during our very last family meeting, Jordan told us to stop for a second, and just take in the moment.  Take note of exactly what we were feeling right then and remember it intentionally.  Just like in my last post, I was feeling so inspired and encouraged that I honestly felt like I could take on issues and problems that would probably normally make me want to cry. The community and culture that LeaderShape built for us and our family was something that I want to continue to develop in other areas of my life like at camp in my cabin, in our unit counselor team at camp, in our DG pledge class, and in our chapter and Greek community as a whole.  The idea of inclusion is so palpable that people rarely hesitate to jump in and share and feel like they're a part of this whole organization.

Being with this family was something that I never expected to gain through LeaderShape, but they have honestly been the greatest thing that I've come away with.   Starting as a group of almost complete strangers, these people have encouraged me and challenged me to reach my full potential and have really gotten to know me in the process.  I love that, through LeaderShape, I have realized that Greek life is more than just my Delta Gamma sisters; the ATOs, AGDs, and DGs in my Lambda Alpha family and my friends who are in different chapters at Drake can all be my brothers and sisters.  For our family, I'm excited for the support group that we will hopefully continue to be for each other.  There's so much that we can learn from each other by sharing experiences and advice and perspectives, and even though I'll miss having that happen in person, I already know these people are important ones to keep around as a part of my life.

I could never thank my chapter enough for sending me to LeaderShape, because I took away way more than I could ever really put into words.  This week actually changed my life in significant ways, and it's been a real long time since that's happened.  I can only hope that my effect on DG is half of what LeaderShape was on me.

I still hate goodbyes and I don't think I'm the kind of person who will ever like leaving somewhere and something that I love.  I hate the idea that we will never all be together in the same place again, but that's what makes is so special.  This unique experience will forever be a part of me and my story, and as much as I hate that it's over, I'm so glad it happened.