"There is an opposite extreme, the American Anti-Myth, which holds the society largely responsible for the individual’s poverty... In reality, people do not fit easily into myths or anti-myths, of course. The working individuals in this book are neither helpless nor omnipotent, but stand on various points along the spectrum between the polar opposites of personal and societal responsibility" (Shipler 6).
Today was a rather chilly day, with a high of about 46 degrees. Though this temperature may sound easy to handle, let's not forget the windchill and humidity present during what my Floridian body perceived to be an excursion to the Habitat for Humanity of the arctic. I promise my whining and droning does have a point other than to make me sound fearful of anything other than the tropics- that will be explained later. As for now, I think it would be best to give a brief summary of our busy and astonishing day. The first approximately 6 hours of our time was spent at our specific Habitat for Humanity job sites. Every Bonner Leader, Alfond Scholar, and Immersion facilitator was divided into two groups for this service trip. My personal group was assigned to work on the exterior of a home under construction, while the other group assisted with the remodeling of a recently abandoned home. When we finished at our job sites for the day, we rushed back to our rooms to quickly change before setting off to hear the awe-inspiring life stories of G.W., Adam, and Daryl. Each of these men had either experienced homelessness in the past or were currently living on the streets. Shortly after, we cooked and assembled 120 hotdogs and traveled to a park near Tropicana Field to distribute coffee and dinner, as well as warn the homeless public of the low temperatures yet to come.
While participating in the construction process of the newly established Habitat home, I could not help but think about the numb feeling in my fingers and toes. Even with gloves, a sweatshirt, 2 different pairs of sweatpants, and a penguin group huddle, I was uncomfortably cold. The same was true of my visit to the park, with one slight twist- the people surrounding me were legitimately freezing. Seeing men and women wrapped in blankets waiting for their bus to a shelter for the night made me cringe. One sip of coffee caused them to smile from ear to ear, and shout praises and blessings that I did not at all feel I deserved. Who was I to say I was cold? Who was I to accept their thanksgiving? I had freshly washed clothes on my back and a hotel room with heat to come home to. I had amazing friends (essentially family) to warm my hands and heart whenever the temperature overwhelmed me. (It sounds cliché, but it's true!) I have the opportunity to serve alongside incredibly devoted individuals from a highly ranked school that I have the privilege to attend. I cannot imagine what the men and women in the park would give to just have one of the many things that I take for granted. This just goes to show, you don't have to be out of touch with reality to experience a caustic reality check.
I feel so incredibly blessed to have such amazing family and friends, and all of the provisions, both big and small, that I fail to say thank you for each and every day.
Today was a rather chilly day, with a high of about 46 degrees. Though this temperature may sound easy to handle, let's not forget the windchill and humidity present during what my Floridian body perceived to be an excursion to the Habitat for Humanity of the arctic. I promise my whining and droning does have a point other than to make me sound fearful of anything other than the tropics- that will be explained later. As for now, I think it would be best to give a brief summary of our busy and astonishing day. The first approximately 6 hours of our time was spent at our specific Habitat for Humanity job sites. Every Bonner Leader, Alfond Scholar, and Immersion facilitator was divided into two groups for this service trip. My personal group was assigned to work on the exterior of a home under construction, while the other group assisted with the remodeling of a recently abandoned home. When we finished at our job sites for the day, we rushed back to our rooms to quickly change before setting off to hear the awe-inspiring life stories of G.W., Adam, and Daryl. Each of these men had either experienced homelessness in the past or were currently living on the streets. Shortly after, we cooked and assembled 120 hotdogs and traveled to a park near Tropicana Field to distribute coffee and dinner, as well as warn the homeless public of the low temperatures yet to come.
While participating in the construction process of the newly established Habitat home, I could not help but think about the numb feeling in my fingers and toes. Even with gloves, a sweatshirt, 2 different pairs of sweatpants, and a penguin group huddle, I was uncomfortably cold. The same was true of my visit to the park, with one slight twist- the people surrounding me were legitimately freezing. Seeing men and women wrapped in blankets waiting for their bus to a shelter for the night made me cringe. One sip of coffee caused them to smile from ear to ear, and shout praises and blessings that I did not at all feel I deserved. Who was I to say I was cold? Who was I to accept their thanksgiving? I had freshly washed clothes on my back and a hotel room with heat to come home to. I had amazing friends (essentially family) to warm my hands and heart whenever the temperature overwhelmed me. (It sounds cliché, but it's true!) I have the opportunity to serve alongside incredibly devoted individuals from a highly ranked school that I have the privilege to attend. I cannot imagine what the men and women in the park would give to just have one of the many things that I take for granted. This just goes to show, you don't have to be out of touch with reality to experience a caustic reality check.
I feel so incredibly blessed to have such amazing family and friends, and all of the provisions, both big and small, that I fail to say thank you for each and every day.
#AlfonnerLove <3
Powerful post!
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