A Good Year

For over a year now, I have worked for a non-profit called RAICES.  Perhaps I have suffered some long hours, some time crunches, and a few sleepless nights.   But as I look back on the past year, all I can think is how incredible, and thank you.  There is just one reason why: the kids.  Over the year I have spoken with, listened to, and been enlightened by some number of kids in the hundreds.  Most of them are teenagers from Latin America.   The one thing these kids have to spare, being detained by Immigration, is time.  They have nothing but time, and they often don’t mind spending it telling me their life stories.  They have amazed me with their wit, their trust, and their quickness to love.   And I cannot forget their bravery, humility, compassion, forgiveness, and loyalty.  I have seen in them all measure of these qualities; I aspire to have a little bit of that which I see in them.  With some, I have watched them cry, and I weep now for them. 

Most I will never see again, and I pray for them.  Lord give them safety, protection, warmth, joy, love and laughter. They are your precious children.  You know where they are, and with whom they are celebrate this Christmas.  Surround them by loved ones, and protect their families. 

Others I have had the pleasure to get to know more closely.  Each one has touched me.  Each has taught me something from their lives, by how they have overcome, persevered, and gone on hoping.  How out of love for their families, they have risked their lives to come here.  How they came from violence-torn countries, and have not given up on the state of the human soul.   How they value and honor the relationships they have.  How they are not afraid to be kids again.  How they have not lost their sense of humor.  How they have grown up on the streets, and their dream is to study and learn.  How they want to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, singers, and professional soccer players.  How, for one, it was his dream to find a job to be able to take care of his mother, and after every type of challenge this year, he has reached his goal.  How they have the hearts of children and the bravery of men.  How they have a resilient joy for life, even though they have suffered for most of theirs.

In short, I am thankful for a job that has given me the opportunity to learn so much.  I am thankful for the good people who do this work beside me.  But most of all I am thankful for the many memories of young faces, which will stay with me, and continue to challenge me for many years to come.