A Path to Believe In

When I joined AmeriCorps, I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into. I knew I enjoyed being around kids, and thought this would be a good way to fill up my free time. My hope was that I could somehow impact at least one child’s life, and maybe even a couple of them. What I never expected was how it would impact me.

I lost my father two years ago to cancer. When I lost him, I lost a part of myself as well. For a year I went through the motions of life, trying to just get past each day, hoping the pain would ease a little. I found that the more free time I had, the more time I found dwelling on the emptiness I felt. Then one day I heard of this program called AmeriCorps, where you could be a part of a group that volunteers in their community. I wasn’t sure what this program would require of me, but thought it sounded like a great opportunity.

I signed up to do my service at a local youth center. I enjoyed being around the kids, but I was also pretty stressed with the amount of hours I committed to since I also work full time. Each day seemed to get better though, and I slowly started to develop relationships with the kids that came there. I really started to feel like I made a difference in their lives. The time commitment started to not feel as stressful, and I found that if I didn’t go to the center that day I really missed the kids. After all, even if I was having a bad day at least one of them would be able to make me smile.

Then something unexpected happened. I no longer felt sad all the time. I started to play games with the kids that my dad had played with me. I shared the jokes that my dad and I used to laugh at. I started to feel like I was where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I needed to be doing. I realized that maybe I was there for a reason- I could share everything that I learned from my dad, as well as pass down the love and warmth I felt from him to these kids.

I believe that making a difference in someone else’s life can lead to finding yourself. Through this experience with AmeriCorps, I believe in myself again and in the opportunities that life brings.

And most importantly, I believe my dad is smiling down at me, proud of the path my life has taken.