Not ready to say good-bye

Namaskar Everyone,
Today is our last full day in Kolkata, I can't believe it! Before starting the trip I thought that 3 weeks would be more than enough time to spend here, but now that I am here it seems as though it is not nearly enough. This city is so rich with culture and I feel as though even though we have had a great experience here and have done a lot I can't help but feeling that there is so much more to see and do. Going into our last day I feel like I am finally starting to get used to things here, the people, the smells, the sights, the sounds (constant car horns), and feeling comfortable being uncomfortable (for the most part) and now it is nearly time to end this tremendous journey. But I must say though that our limited time here is my only regret, because I couldn't have asked for a better three weeks.
Yesterday was my final day at Shishu Bhavan, which was bitter sweet. I will miss that place greatly, I will miss the beautiful children, the sisters and the massies, but I will forever cherish the time that I had there and the wonderful connections that I was able to make. Even though I was sad to leave I couldn't have had a better last day with the kids. All day I felt like I had finally really found a grove and was getting into the swing of things just in time to leave. But even though it is time to go, my time here has taught me so much and for that I am grateful. I have learned patience and understanding, as well as love and respect. And above all a strong appreciation for my health and my wonderful family. Seeing these kids living in an orphanage who struggle every day with both mental and physical disabilities has reminded me how fortunate I am to have been born with good health and into a family that loves and supports me and has been able to provide a safe place to live, food whenever I am hungry, and the support and love that all kids crave and deserve. But Shishu Bhavan has been positive in the sense that these kids still seem so happy and optimistic and even though my time with them has been brief I feel as though I was able to bring a little bit of love and joy into their lives.
Today we made our second journey to the New Hope New Life Orphanage with Brother Xavier. This was an amazing way to end our trip because it is such a happy, hopeful place. The children get so excited for us to come and are so happy to share that time with us. I am so impressed at what Brother Xavier has done for these kids and all on his own initiative. They are such beautiful and amazing kids and they all have had tough lives prior to their adoption into the orphanage but they are still so happy and hopeful for their futures. Many of these kids would have been sold into prostitution or be living on the streets had it not been for Brother Xavier graciously bringing them into his life, but now they have have a safe place to live, food on the table and a great education which will provide them with good opportunities and a bright future. None of the kids dwell on the fact that they do not have a "normal" family, rather they consider each other their brothers and sisters and all look out for one another and love each other unconditionally. I was so happy that we could spend our final day with these kids because they are so wonderful and truely appreciate us coming. This trip was an extremely hopeful and positive way to end our trip, and although I was sad to leave I felt happy leaving knowing that these amazing children all have bright futures ahead of them.
Although my time here is coming to an end I am so grateful for the time I have been able to spend here. I have learned so much and grown so much as a person, and hopefully have made a positive difference in some way in my time here. I have met so many remarkable people and done so many amazing things and I will miss this crazy but beautiful place more than I ever thought possible.