(Student Essay Fall 2015)
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Mahatma Gandhi
The act of my service project was being a part of the veteran’s village. Even though the act of this started from wanting to earn bucks for class it become more than just that. See that my teacher was not only a wonderful teacher she also had a big heart. It amazed me that out of her busy life she still found time to help others. In that instant a bell went off in my head saying the little things matter, I could be a part of this too. The wonderful experience I received while attending the village was awesome. My first day there I was a little shy and didn’t know what to say or how to interact with the vets. But like someone once told me nerve judge a book by its cover. We are all humans who make mistakes and have wonderful stories to tell that will influence someone’s life. Just being able to have conversation with the vets showed me how humble they were and opened minded about things. To see how happy they were to have a meal well family dinner I should say because, while they eat we would talk to them.
We became family, meaning they wanted the best for us to continue to do well in school to keep our head up to never give up the looked forward into seeing us every Thursday and I know I did too. On the days I missed out I only let myself down. At dinner time was catching up time talking about tons of different things from how was your day, do you have kids, and even giving us nicknames. Doing this showed me that the little things matter in life. Sharing my blessing upon someone else, me even having the money to cook food so that would have a home cook meal was the sharing of my blessings. The different vets had different personalities, they were all different in their own little way. These are people who sacrifice their life for us in the military and all we had to do was sacrifice a little time for them.
The impact this experience had on my education is it gave me wisdom and with wisdom comes growth It made me look and life and people period in a different way. It also made me praise the fact that I am able to attend college more. Meaning taking my classes more serious than I have before putting more time into studying because at a blink of an eye it could all be taken away from you.
Never take life for granted on of the vets told me one day. And every sine than it become a huge eye opener. I feel as though they impacted our life’s just as much as we impacted theirs. Just showing them that the world still cares about vets and never gave up on them impacted there life, vets are not forgotten. Like I said before the little things matter just seeing us might’ve made them smile of brighten up there day. This impacted the community and my peers that there is more to life than going out and hanging with friends you can have fun doing things for others making someone else smile and not just yourself. This act of service will encourage my peers and friends to want to go out and make a different on someone’s life, and maybe even finding themselves in the service of others.
