Helping Others

As I sit in my mosquito-netted bed shivering with fever from a possible respiratory infection, listening to the rain on my tin roof, I find myself with an abundance of time to think about my imminent departure from Guatemala as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I also find myself searching aimlessly on the Internet. Today, however, I found a true treasure during my aimless search that has given me some perspective about the past two years in Guatemala and how I am going to re-assimilate into the American culture. This news piece features the mother of a friend of mine, Michael Dove, with whom I attended elementary through high school. Please take the time to watch this special and what this caring lady, Annette Dove, is doing in my hometown of Pine Bluff, Ar: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/45649093#45649093

So how does this NBC special relate to me and my life? It reminds me so much of the love and service my grandmother and role model, Wilma Norton, shared her whole life through various organizations with the community of Pine Bluff. It reminds me of the kind of person I was raised to be and continue to strive to be: caring, inclusive, providing, honest, whole-hearted, and kind. It reminds me of why service is important in every community, regardless of geographic location, race, religion, etc. It reminds me of why I initially joined the Peace Corps and why I have chosen to withstand the hardships to attempt creating change. It reminds that no matter where I am in the world, Guatemala or the United States, there will always be the need to help others. There will be poverty stricken, hungry, under educated, illiterate, sick, unemployed, homeless challenged people that will need the help and care of others. 

I hope that once I return to the states soon that I'm not blinded by all the nice luxuries we enjoy, and that helping others remains an important part of my life. I challenge everyone else reading this post to reflect on how they are currently making a difference and how they could possibly do more to help others. I know feel the charge to really take advantage of these last weeks in my community in Guatemala to make a change and help others as much as possible (well, after I get over this infection, that is...).