Spun Far From Home

Just over a year ago I sat in the Minneapolis airport staring out the floor to ceiling windows. Just by looking outside anyone could tell it was cold. Frost on the pavement and the dull sun made everything look grey - cold. On most days the view would have nearly no impact on me, but that day I was leaving. Leaving cold, snow, frost and windchill in exchange for Africa. I had never stepped foot on the continent before, though many of my friends and family had before me. In fact, my husband was there already waiting for me in a seemingly mystical place called Sudan. As I stared out the large windows I tried to imagine what I would see when I stepped off the plane on the "Dark Continent". I let the scene of chilled pavement imprint into my brain. I knew I would miss it.

Before I knew it I was sitting in my seat on the plane and we were about to lift off into the sky. I had prepared myself for this moment for 5 months. I had my tokens, my icons if you will, to help me fly. I had my silver necklace from a beloved friend whispering close to my heart, "Believe". I had my guidebook of sorts from the same friend - a tutorial on how to leave one's own planet and embrace a new one. And then I had my ipod. I stacked it full of pictures so that I could stare into the eyes of people that could give me strength. And then I had the song that I had picked out just for this occasion.

As the plane began to rattle and shake and all of the people counted down for lift off, I pressed my necklace close to my heart, looked at the faces I wanted near me, and listened to the song that would send me into space, high above the clouds and onto a new planet.

Drink up, baby down
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me, too busy you're writing your tragedy
These mishaps
You bubble wrap
When you've no idea what you're like

So let go, jump in
Well, whatcha waiting for?
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

It gains the more it gives
And then it rises with the fall
So hand me that remote
Can't you see that all that stuff's a sideshow

Such boundless pleasure
We've no time for later now
You can't await your own arrival
You've 20 seconds to comply

So let go, jump in
Well, whatcha waiting for?
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown