Here’s to the Kitchen

The kitchen… somewhere I’ve spent more time than I can even count these past three months. So many memories were created in the kitchen. 

I’ve laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe.

I’ve danced around.

I’ve sang my heart out.

I’ve cooked meals with my team mates.

I’ve cooked meals with my squad mates.

I’ve sat listening to music until midnight.

I’ve painted until 2 am because I lost track of time.

Thinking about all those things, I sat in the kitchen the other night and thought about how my time here in Romania is coming to an end.

I sat on the counter last night just observing. 

Looking at the washer placed in the corner too close to the door, the dish rack that is never empty, the sink that’s too small to wash the big pots in, the stove that takes what seems like forever to boil water, and the light in the middle of the ceiling with no cover that looks like its going to fall. 

As I sat there I realized how much I have grown in Romania and to me the perfect song came on my playlist, Moving Forward by Colony House.

The lyrics say

I found life and I found laughter.

In forgiveness, I found rest.

On the shoulders of redemption,

I found hope when hope was dead.

I could lose it in a moment,

So I dare not close my eyes.

I'll watch fear fall with the sunset

And see hope rise with the tide.

And when the pain is true,

Sometimes these troubles prove that I'm alive.

My eyes are open,

My heart is beating,

My lungs are full,

And my body's breathing.

I'm moving forward.

I found my freedom.

I found the life that gave me reason to live.

As this dusty road now settles

And I see what lay before,

Every tear that held a broken dream

Is now shattered on the floor.

And now bursting forth in splendor

Are the blossoms of second tries

Because dreams that bear the mark of love

Are dreams that never die.

I think this song perfectly describes my time here in Romania.

Life. Laughter. Forgiveness. Rest. Redemption. Hope. Confidence. Freedom. 

I don’t think I would have thought about it like that if I hadn’t been in the kitchen the other night. 

Here’s to the kitchen.

Love, Sumer

Give the song a listen:

I am currently still fundraising and have $2,000 left to raise by January 15th. If you feel led, you can donate through my blog or if you have any questions feel free to message/email/whats app me! Thank you to everyone who has already helped me get this far! I love you all and it means so much that you would help me get this far already. I can’t wait to continue to share this journey with you.