So no one has blogged in awhile, I suddenly felt inspired. I was telling some of my friends about our annual NOLA trip, when i realized something.

I have aspirations.

That may sound out of place, or obvious, I mean, we all have aspirations. What I mean by that is, I had a realization of the person I hope to become. So, I know I’m rambling, and I’m not thinking this out before I right, but this really does have to do with New Orleans.

What I realized is that I want to be like the ladies we’ve worked with in New Orleans. I know everyone has said this before, but today it struck me as a true goal. Ladies like Miss Dot, Miss Doris, Miss Joyce, and Miss Camille have such a love for life. Loving life is something that so many people forget to do. Living in the moment, and enjoying what you have is a thought which is so often put aside in out consumerist society. The ladies we work with see themselves as blessed. Blessed to be alive, blessed to be (mostly) healthy, blessed to be in the presence of those they love. As a result of this view of life, they are happy. Their lives are dotted with moments and years of suffering and hardship, yet that’s not how they view it. They look to the future.

Another reason I aspire to be like these women whom we love, is because of their love. They were willing to trust us, open their doors and get to know us, not as volunteers, or teenagers, or Seattlites, but as human beings, worth no more or less than their beautiful selves. They taught me that no matter what, there is always room in my heart to love more. Their levels of love, compassion and hopefulness are off the charts to be cliche. It constantly amazes me, and instills in me a sense of awe and wonder when I imagine being in their position. They all are such strong accomplished women who have so much to be proud of. Yet, they are some of the most humble, selfless people I’ve ever met in my life. To quote what many people from the trips have said, when we go down to help, we get more from them than we give. It is immeasurable the amount that these women have changed my life, and yes, I know I’m being corny and whatever else you want to call it, but its true.

As I looked at Lily’s pictures of Miss Dots garden, and Miss Doris’ house, another chord inside me was struck. Of course I felt the happiness of the (almost) complete Miss Doris’ house, but at the same time made me wonder. If we, a bunch of sometimes immature, inexperienced teenagers from the opposite side of the country cares enough to change the life of someone like Miss Doris, why can’t everyone else. If only everyone else cared a little bit more, had a little bit more compassion for those around them our world would be so much better off. I guess the point of this blog is not to be depressing, talking about how people of the world have failed, but rather, to remind us all to be role models to those people in society who resist helping others, who are selfish, and think of only themselves. Let us be reminded of the ladies in New Orleans, and use them as an example of the people we should all aspire to be like. Imagine if the world was filled with Miss Doris’, Miss Dot’s, Miss Joyce’s and Miss Camille’s…. I for sure know, that’s a world I would love to be a part of.