Truly Grateful

This past week, I was fortunate enough to find multiple ways on campus to commemorate Veteran’s Day. Last Wednesday, there was a card-making night hosted by Panhellenic, the organization that oversees all of the sororities on campus. We were able to meet some of the new freshmen while bonding over card-making. Some girls made Christmas cards for a retirement home, while the rest of us made Veteran’s Day cards for a local Vet hospital. This past Saturday, SAB hosted a Christmas-themed Second Saturday event, and we also asked students to write Holiday cards for those currently serving overseas.

Every time I write a card to a Veteran or a member of the active military, I am filled with a sense of true gratitude. My stepbrother, Jesse, is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Every single day I think about him and his friends, and I hope and pray that they are staying safe.  Before my stepbrother was deployed, I did not feel connected to the war because it seemed so distant. Knowing that someone I love is actually there shed a whole new light on the situation. I have always been grateful for our military, but this has deepened my appreciation. They have made such a great sacrifice for all of us, and it is something that I hope I never forget.

(My stepbrothers, Lucas and Jesse)  

(Lucas, me, and Jesse last November)

A few months ago, my sorority sisters and I devoted an entire day to making cookies and cards for my step brother and his troop mates. It was an awesome experience to have my sisters helping me to make things a little bit more like home for my stepbrother in Afghanistan. Our package made it over there surprisingly fast, and Jesse said that he and his friends truly appreciated it.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near, I find myself filled with sadness for those serving in the military because they will not be able to spend the holiday season with their families. I am reminded of a familiar Christmas song: “I’ll be home for Christmas… if only in my dreams.” As we prepare to gather with our families around a table full of home-cooked food in a warm house, let us take some time to remember those who are sacrificing their holiday get-togethers with their families in order to serve our country.

Regardless of your opinions of the war itself, I think we can all agree that the individual people in our military need our support. When you are with your family the next few weeks, take a minute or two to write a few letters to our troops.  There is a great organization called “A Million Thanks” (http://www.amillionthanks.org/) that will mail your letters for you. Such a simple act of kindness will have a huge impact on a deserving soldier.

An Early Christmas Present

Three words: World Cultures Day. It is an annual campus event, and it is truly one of my favorite days of the entire school year. Students and faculty take over the convocation center to bring fresh and diverse perspectives to RU. They present information on different countries throughout the world, and many of them prepare dishes native to that specific country. You can virtually travel the world in one hour. My favorite part is to see the faces of the newer students who have not yet experienced the awesomeness of World Culture Day. The sights, sounds, and smells are overwhelming… but in the best way possible.

(My friend Claire serving a traditional Puerto Rican dish)

Each year, the event kicks off with a touching prayer service. Sadly, there are many disagreements between countries in today’s world. During the prayer service, we come together to ask God to help us heal those broken relationships and to bring peace to all, in effect making God’s good world better (another important Jesuit ideal). Additionally, there were dancers who performed cultural dances. My favorite one was a traditional Philippine dance in which they welcome the rainy season. I always enjoy this day of festivities, and I will definitely miss it when I graduate.

(The dancers performing a traditional dance from the Philippines)

As an International Business student, I have always been interested in different cultures and customs throughout the world. Due to a number of factors, mostly cost and time, I have been unable to study abroad during my time here at RU. That is probably one of my biggest regrets of my undergrad time. I’ve known a ton of students that have travelled abroad through RU and have absolutely loved it. One of my sorority sisters will be spending a year between Spain and Argentina. I would love to go to a country where I could actually practice my Spanish. I will be staying at RU for my MBA, so I hope to finally take advantage of the business school’s trip to Spain. The first step in making God’s good world better is to experience all that it has to offer.