THE PAYOFF

I just made the last payment on my car today.  Four and a half years ago, I was fresh out of grad school, newly employed, and eager to buy a new car. (Well at least one that would last me more than one year.)  So I brought a pre-owned Prius.  Then, for four and a half years, had monthly payments, oil changes and of course, great gas mileage!  As the teller at the bank processed my last payment, a calming sense of comfort and elation came over me.  It was pretty awesome.

And it reminded me about the fear and elation I experience on my flight to Haiti last month.  It reminded me of the story from my journal that I wanted to share with those interested in reading it.

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~ Thursday, January 2nd, 2014, Central Plateau, Haiti ~ 

It’s pretty damn amazing how things turned out today.  When I left for the airport this morning, I was still not fully sure where I was going to be sleeping that night.  This was going to be my 5th trip to Haiti, but it was my first time traveling alone.  My first time staying for longer than one week.   

I had arranged my extended stay with our host/partner organization Project Medishare, but due to the holidays, I never confirmed where I was going to be sleeping for my first three nights in Haiti.  I wasn't even sure if someone from the organization was going to be there to pick me up at the airport. (I didn't tell my mom or my girlfriend about any of this…)

This is why, when halfway through the flight to Haiti, I discovered that the person sitting next to me was the new Program Coordinator for Project Medishare, I felt a calming sense of elation and relaxation come over me.  What started off as high risk for disaster (the potential for arriving in a developing country with no set place to stay), turned into great potential for good things to happen.  It really is amazing what can happen when you commit to an idea and, when necessary, make a leap of faith. 

Two months earlier, I had hastily booked my flight as a desperate maneuver to force myself to do what it took to have an extended stay in Haiti.  I didn't know how I was going to coordinate my stay or how I was going to pay for it.  What I did know, that I was going to find a way to make it happen.

And amid all the doubt fear and uncertainty, it happened – I was about to have an extended stay in Haiti.  I was about to accomplish a goal that I had firmly set four months earlier in September.  The desire I had since my first trip to Haiti more than two years ago was finally being fulfilled.

“No matter how long it takes, or how hard it is, I’m going to make it.  I’m going to make it.”  - Les Brown.   “And it’s gonna be awesome.” - Katie Lamie

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Thank you for taking the time to read this story.  If you have another second to spare, I would love to hear your stories that relate to "the payoff."  Share with everyone in the comment section below, or shoot me a personal email.  Looking forward to hearing your story.  Kevin