So yes. I know it took a while.

To find an answer to what you had asked me.

But that’s only because there wasn’t just one.

“How do you feel now that it’s over?”, that was the question.

Honestly, I had no Idea what to say back then.

Since I had just ended a journey.

Or should I say won a battle?

It was me against myself.

Constantly competing to be better.

To absorb all the great things that were going on around me then.

I felt like a ship

that had finally reached its destination.

After sailing across some magnificent oceans.

Surviving the rough tides.

I felt like a wounded soldier

Who had just returned home from war.

Carrying the scars of a battle never to be forgotten.

Whose eyes seek nothing but the embrace of loved ones.

Perhaps part of me felt like a bird in a cage.

One that had just been set free.

One that was ready to soar among the glorious sky.

To explore places that until now had only been dreamt of.

But the strongest feeling was that of hope.

Faith that tomorrow,

I would be able to face every challenge and succeed.

Because the woman who you saw after she had walked across that stage

With tears of joy in her eyes was ready.

Ready to wear her newfound strength as her armor.

To chase her next goal.

To start to build a life that she secretly envisioned a year ago.

You see. It wasn’t over.

In fact, it would never be.

Because as soon as I struck a pose holding proof of my victory, I knew.

There was so much more to come.

So, if I really had to give you an answer today,

Here’s what I would say –

I feel incredible.

But also a little afraid.

Because I have no idea what the future holds.

But in the end,

I know that I am now strong enough,

And that I will be just ok

So get ready to ask me again a year from now.

And I promise,

It won’t be the same…