I´m sitting here in this internet cafe, trying to come up with the words to express how I feel and I´m realizing that it is not possible. The last 3 weeks have shaken me to my core. The people I´ve met and the things I´ve seen will never let me be the same man as before. I´ve never understood those people who go away to summer camp for a month or so and cry when they leave because they have to say goodbye to people they barely even knew but Friday June 20th 2008 will be a day forever in my memory.
Yesterday´s farewell party was so touching and genuine I couldn´t help but get choked up. The kids were so thankful for the cake and gifts. I wish we could have done more but I know we did our best and I am so proud that we did this trip the right way. The teachers and students of Villa El Salvador gave us cards and little key chains that they made which were worth more than any gift that could have been bought from a store because as my teacher said, "No tenemos mucho pero este regalo es del corazon." (We don´t have a lot but this gift is from our heart.) My teacher delivered a heartfelt speech that brought the whole room to tears including myself, my fellow volunteers, and of course the kids.
I like to think of myself as pretty good at goodbyes. I´ve had a lot of practice in my 23 years but nothing could prepare me for last night when my roomates left. I´ve traveled the world and met a lot of people but it must have been fate that I was put in the same room with Big Mikey, Matt Coseo or Coz, and Brian McWeeny AKA "Miggy". I couldn´t have ever imagined that I would form such strong friendships in such a short amount of time. There is something unique about sharing experiences that no one else will ever understand. I´ve had friends in the Navy, study abroad roomates, and many other acquaintances along the way but for the last 3 weeks these guys have been the brothers I´ve always wanted. I had to put them in a cab at 3:30 this morning and see them off. It was one of the hardest goodbyes of my life. If you boys are reading this...You better believe if the cubs win the world series I´ll be on the first flight to Chicago to celebrate with you guys.
So this is it. My final blog. I want to leave you with a few final thoughts that I´ve taken from this life altering expierence. I found out that if you are too busy judging people, you don´t have enough time to really understand them. No matter what religion, sex, ethnicity, or income level we are, we all share one thing in common: the human spirit.
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
-Mother Teresa
Thank you to everyone who made this adventure through my soul possible. I will forever be in your debt.
5 comments:
I'm so happy that you made such a beautiful memory and met some friends you never forget about. This trip won't be finished yet because it will be a good start to help more other people. It was good start. I wanna be a your companion to go volunteering from next time. I would love to have this fabrous thing with you.
I love you so much.
And Don't be sad anymore....I know you can meet your friends soon.
I wanna meet them too. They must have kind hurts as yours otherwise you woldn't meet them in volunteering.
I love you and see you soon.
Son.... all I can say is that YOU have brought joy and happiness to me in so many ways. I hope someday you will be a parnet so that you might understand what you have given to me. We never know how someone feels unless we have had something close to it happen so we can relate and THE JOY I feel today isn't anything you can even understand BUT someday in years to come just remember that I feel so BLESSED to be your MOMMY.! Thank you for that Son. I can't wait to see you! always and forever my baby you'll be....
JB that is so awesome. You should be so proud of yourself. You have done so much in your young life with plenty more adventures to come. You can't put a value on memories & you have many to carry with you the rest of your life.you have made us all very proud Keep up the good work!
JB,
Your dad just told me about your trip while we were at a gig this last Saturday. I jut read through your whole trip!Unbelievable! I am sooooo proud of you and your willingness to give to the greatest things on this earth.............children. You will REALLY understand this when you start producing your own children! How easy to get so wrapped up into things that really DO NOT matter and to be able to submerge yourself into things that really DO matter! We all can live a little vicariously through you and maybe learn to give in another ways to children less fortunate than our own. I know it was really hard to leave. I'm sure that some of those kids will never forget you and the times that they shared with you. That is some good stuff right there! I am looking forward to seeing you on your next visit back home, maybe plan a BBQ to hear all about it! Heidi and Jim
JB,
You don't have to have kids to enjoy the feelings you have experienced. There are so many out there that need extra love and attention. You have seen it first hand and I know it touched your heart. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us. Love, T* & Uncle Mike
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