There's so much to say about what I had learned from my work. It’s one of those things that happen in the world that are hard to describe. What I really discovered for myself was the gift of life and how important it is yet very different. Every time I go there I always have the awe and amazement that these men I talk to have lived there lives and the wisdom and jolly in their words just strike me in the most lucid yet puzzling way. Clear, where it is simple to understand the fulfillment of a life yet puzzling to understand because of the lack of my maturity and understanding. But, as I leave that building never have I gone out the door without a smile off my face, for the great feeling of satisfaction of helping them and discovering the world.
I learned through experience of listening and forgetting the self to express optimism. I had to compensate my shyness and to talk to strangers that were old. At first, I felt a little frightened at what my work was, but gradually I knew that this essential skill of trying to talk to other people was something that would not only benefit me now but also in my future. I feel that this understanding of what I had to learn catapulted me to do what I do now and be able to talk to them.
I remember a specific incident between Juan and George that amused me greatly. When we were all watching television, Juan pointed at George’s supposed “girlfriend”, and George retorted by pointing out that she was Juan’s girlfriend. And this little disagreement went on. Although there was not actual disagreement, it was a realization of the kind of life they live. This brought about the idea of how people are so similar to me even when they’re on the opposite side of the age spectrum!
There was something that made me really enjoy what I do. This situation was a silent one but here was still communication. Between George and I there are often times of silence but none like this one. When I took him out for a smoke, he took his puffs and I just sat there and watched him. He gave a little chuckle and smiled while I smiled back. This was something that just put a warmth down my heart because it felt good to see that there was this relationship growing and he knew it too and understood that it was a genuine one. This event gave me that feeling of satisfaction that I did something that was so selfless and affected someone else in the best way I could.
I would tell other teenagers that they should look for something that they want to do. A work that helps others and done only for the sake of others. Only then can they call this work volunteer work.
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