This I Believe

I moved in with my grandparents when I first started high school, and I've been there ever since. At first, it was clearly a difference in the way that I carried out my daily life or interacted with my elders. I had to come to terms with the fact that even though this is family, they are doing me a really big favor, and I can't dishonor them for what they have done for me. I had to come to terms with this fact in order to move on with my life. Along the journey, there have been some ups and downs, as the old saying goes, teens grow feisty during those years of puberty. Now I think I have really experienced life through a different lens, which makes me believe that I need to build bonds and connections on this world. The realization of this was brought to light through senior service. Every year at UDJ, we hold a senior service day, during which seniors are assigned a site to volunteer and are given the opportunity to give back to the community in a variety of ways. My site is at Focus Hope, which is also where we do our volunteer work with our elderly companions. This site is almost ideal for me because I now live together with both of my sets of grandparents and have a great deal more to learn from my elders. When I first arrived at this site, my first thought was that it was going to be just like another dull day at school or something else that I wouldn't want to go to of my own free will, but now that I've experienced it, I can honestly say that I would. This site in particular inspired me to create memories and form connections with the individuals in our immediate environment. Each child will be working with three seniors, including Cam Simpson, who will also be one of their partners. Even though this program has only been going on for the past month and a half, I can confidently claim that I have taken part in personal development. I was thinking about the memories we form with our elderly community members and how happy it makes them to talk to younger generations. It brings to mind the fact that I currently live with my grandparents and that due to my deep belief in the importance of connections, I need to make as many memories as I can with them. Through participating in the Focus Hope program, my senior companions have already shown me a significant amount of trust, and this has just been going on for the past three weeks. I have already checked in with my seniors by calling them to see how things are doing and to possibly pick up a few helpful tips from them as they continue to educate me in various ways. I truly have learned the true purpose of cherishing bonds and making memories and plan to show that through actions. 




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