The Fall Challenge Has Ended

This time of year is very focused on giving, and in the The Story I'll Tell writers group, we received The Fall Challenge theme of "I Matter".  This first appeared in Shernice's weekly group email on September 14th.  Each time The Fall Challenge  was posted, it always included a deadline written in small blue font that read "Ends on Nov 29th".  

We writers had 10 weeks to think about our values, the impact we want to make during our lifetimes, and the legacy we want to leave.   No pressure...  It is hard to answer what I want my legacy to be, because it requires attention and focus.  I am still living my legacy, and I did try but I wrote an essay that became one of the only pieces that I trashed. While this challenge was unfolding, we worked on weekly writing prompts to help us navigate this larger project.  For example, the October theme was based on the Netflix film Brain On Fire. 

Although I do not know yet exactly what my legacy will be, I do know I will be helping others.  As part of The Fall Challenge, We were invited to choose one way to serve in our communities, neighborhoods, families, etc.  We each received an accountability partner (in my case two), who we were supposed to check in with from time to time to see how it was  going and to plan, process and support one another.

The only time I recalled my partners was when I read the reminder in the group leader Shernice's weekly email.  For this, I offer my sincerest apology.  They were both balancing full plates of responsibility themselves, so I never received a call from either of them which was perfectly understandable.  I had more time available in my schedule, so please forgive me for not reaching out to you both more often...

A month after this challenge started, I learned about an opportunity to serve my spiritual community by facilitating a 7-week small book group for Unity of the Blue Ridge.  The group focused on Living A Committed Life by Lynn Twist, which also included a service project.  I thought, perfect, I can just roll these two projects into one.  It'll be awesome. 

But that is not what happened at all...

Prior to this experience, I had never formally facilitated a group for my spiritual center before, and I wasn't really sure if I would have the cognitive and organizational skills needed to guide this small group. I thought I'd just give it a try, and I received excellent planning materials and guidelines, which helped me keep the group on track.  But it wasn't enough... We were a creative group of very unique personalities and as we devoured the book, it was difficult to steer the entire group into one service interest.  Everyone had so many different ideas.

As I continued to flip the pages, I realized I was, in large part, already living a committed life.  The previous Summer I began volunteering with an organization called Under1Sky, which is a camp program focused on providing year-round camp and mentorship opportunities for any child who has experienced or is currently in substitute care.  This program has served more than 500 youth in foster care across Western North Carolina.

When I applied I had to complete a rigorous background check and passed my interview with flying colors, partly because I offered the contact info for a young lady who I began mentoring in 2003.  We have remained very close and she still considers me her mentor even though she now has a child of her own. 

Now I just needed to be paired with a foster child who would benefit from my mentorship.  Maybe you have heard the phrase, the teacher will appear when the student is ready, connecting with my mentee happened just like that.  I joined a few congregants for a post-service  brunch where I met two young people who were being newly fostered by friends.  I asked the parents if either of them would benefit from a mentor and the rest of the match was handled by Under1Sky.

In addition to serving as this child's mentor, I get to have fun by volunteering for their monthly camp programs.  Sometimes camp is hosted at the Blue Ridge YMCA, Lutheridge or Camp Tekoa.  I never know what the morning will have in store: painting with dyed bubbles, nature hikes to hunt for wild mushrooms, whizzing down a 50-foot zip line, carpentry, field games and collage activities.

I am aware of my limitations caused by the brain injury, so I set volunteer limits that have always been accommodated.  For example, I deal with neuro-fatigue, which is a type of exhaustion that affects decision-making, self-control and one's ability to process information.  For this reason, I only volunteer for the morning shifts, when I am rested and feeling most energetic.  I hit the road shortly after everyone finishes lunch so I can return home for an afternoon nap. 

Also due to memory challenges, it is difficult to recall the kids' names.  Even though I can recognize their faces, names are still challenging.  They use to wear name tags in the beginning of the year, but those tags are long gone.  So I quietly pull other counselors aside to ask about names.

I feel closely drawn to this community because I know that my husband and I will never have our own children.  We do not want to be older parents, and neither of us have the energy required for the important responsibility of parenthood.  Yet I experience immense gratitude whenever I get to spend time with these kids.  Some have seen or dealt with circumstances that no one should have to face, and every child is deserving of love and a chance for a better life.  If I can help them experience a moment of normalcy, fun and safety among their peers, then I feel as rewarded as they do.  Their smiles fit across my face too.