“It takes courage to endure the sharp pains of self-discovery, rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.”  Marianne Williamson

Friday is always a day of mixed emotions during our time in West Virginia. There is joy in hearing of the work accomplished and a sense of completion in knowing that a roof will now keep a home dry, new pipes will provide water to a family’s home, and a mother will soon be able to provide a safe and secure home for her family.  Yet Friday also brings with it the time for saying goodbye. Volunteers begin packing up their belongings to prepare for their journey home.  The first week of the program is drawing to a close.

We look back at the work done this week through lens of our shared experience.  Together we finished staining the deck at the home of a man whose strength has taught us to continue to push forward even when we want to stop.  We repaired the roof, soffit, and fascia for a woman and her sister who are turning the structure in which they live into a home by starting from the inside, where home matters most.  We have fixed the cracked water pipes under a woman’s inherited home and this young woman and her children will be moving into this new place they will soon call home.

Our evening ended, as it does each evening, with a delicious meal (penne ala vodka, marinated vegetables) and a reflection service.  Tonight, as we closed out our week, we reflected how our experience has changed us.  For those returning home, they carry with them the love they witnessed in the homes of those we served, the sense of community they shared with their fellow volunteers, and the celebration of having done the little things with great love!