Beauty in the Train Wreck
2011 was a great year for me! I got mono and strep throat, racked up a big ole’ hospital bill, nearly been hit by a car twice, experienced what it is like to be in the workplace 40 hours a week, been frustrated with my co-workers, my housemates, my friends back home and my family, dipped into my savings far more than I planned and last but not least with the start of 2012 been worried about what is coming for me after EUIP.
Listing all these things as what makes 2011 great seems kinda weird right? It seems like a train wreck of a year, huh? Even though I have been stressed, angry, sick and plagued with fear at times, this has been a great year. I graduated college, moved to Los Angeles where I have met tons of great people, been placed in a job that I love and found people who are supporting me through all the rest. This year I have fallen in love with life more than I ever thought possible.
With every challenge comes a piece of joy is the lesson that has been reinforced for me this past year. The things that I thought would be challenged by have not been nearly as hard as I expected; and things I never thought would happen, like ending up in the hospital not knowing what was wrong, have been tougher.
Despite the challenges of this year, each of these experiences has helped me to grow in ways I never thought possible and I thank God for them. We must all remember that each time something bad happens we must look for the good in it. When we do this growth is possible. Love is possible.
Sally Kiss, Episcopal Urban Intern, 2011-12
Neighborhood Youth Association