05.30.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:01 am by osavolor
At the beginning of this year I had the privilege to meet an extraordinary man, Brother Steve. Brother Steve was a warm and welcoming man that I felt I had an instant rapport with our love of history. The first time he came over we talked for hours about the civil war and WWII, and he was one of the most knowledgeable men I have ever encountered. Even though the man knew pretty much everything about anything related to history, he was still interested in my thoughts and would try to show me different angles that I hadn’t thought. He was always teaching, inside a classroom or out. Our discussion just kept going and going to the point that Father Steve and Father Gary had to drag him out. I was really looking forward to, hopefully, countless other nights where I could pick his brain and just listen to the innumerable stories.
Unfortunately, Brother Steve didn’t have that much time left. Those countless conversations and story telling were coming to an end. Brother Steve began to fall apart from a vigorous man that loved hiking, sailing and various other activities to a man that could barely walk around the grounds of the classroom. Around the beginning of October he had to use oxygen everywhere he went and his movement decreased every day. He forcibly would smile and make conversation but under labored breaths and a pain that could not be concealed. Brother Steve in his free time loved reenacting battles, and he would send me pictures of him in his uniform blowing up a Sherman tank or firing on Pickett’s charge.
One dinner at the beginning of October Brother Steve showed serious signs of deterioration, but the moment I asked about his various war related trinkets around the house he jumped right up and told me everything he could. He gave me a tour of the house even though he could barely walk and he made sure to show me his various battle uniforms. After that dinner I didn’t really hear from Brother Steve until I heard he was in the hospital. I heard from the rumor mill that he should just be there for a week or two and then see if he could still go to Washington for his sabbatical. Maureen, Jenn and myself went to visit him that first weekend. The sight of the ICU and people hooked up to all those machines only brought back memories of my grandmother’s death and her summer long struggle. The sight of Brother Steve only compounded these thoughts into things were not as I heard or hoped. This brilliant man that I was looking forward to getting to know looked even worse than before.
Jenn brought a couple treats for him including some candy and some historical magazines including one article on Napoleon and other famous leaders. I remember wanting to read it after Brother Steve was done with it. Brother Steve perked right up after he saw us and tried to make small talk with our usual banter, but he clearly didn’t have the energy. When we were leaving I said something like you better get back to Saints soon because Deke needs somebody to keep him out of trouble. This little innocuous comment made him chuckle, and then we said our goodbyes.
A couple days later he was dead. My hope that he would get better and we could continue to get to know each other was over. At the funeral as the volunteers approached the casket we saw something that surprised us. A rosary that we had made for him during one our prayers was held tightly in his hand. This vision made me realize that this is why I volunteer. The little actions that seem inconsequential and just seem like nice little gestures can mean the world to someone. Later I was told that Jenn, Maureen and myself were the last visitors Brother Steve had before they began giving him heavy drugs and put him on a ventilator. Maybe the little chuckle I got out of him was his last, and my presence and this year seemed to have a purpose. Just those little things might have meant the world to Brother Steve. The door you hold for a stranger. The smile at a passerbyer. The smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.
Charley Connolly - San Diego
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05.23.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:05 am by osavolor
Greetings from Chi-Town! It may be spring but it has been quite chilly out here in Chicago, however the roomies (shout out to L-Train, Bry-Guy, & KT - BOOYAH!) and I have been busy with what this wonderful city has to offer. I hope that you are all well and living each day to the fullest enjoying each others company, ministry, and city for the end of May is rapidly approaching and time is precious. In receiving the dreaded email from April (you know I love you), I would be lying if I said that I had not thought about writing this blog and after much thought and consideration I want to share with you a piece of my SOUTH SIDE experience. Nine months ago if someone asked me what this year would be like, I would have painted an entirely different picture. That picture would have been jaded and a lot less colorful. It is simply through the people I have met while living here in the South Side that I am who I am today.
I would be here forever if I described to you each person I have met along this journey, however I do want to share with you a day in the life of one of my teenage clients. My clients range from 14-18 years old and all experience unplanned pregnancies. My girls have experienced so much more than I ever had to deal with as a teenager. I want to give you some insight on one of my favorites… Judith approached me to help her organize her thoughts and ideas to enter a contest for scholarship money to help pay for college specially for teenage mothers. Week after week Judith would bring me scraps of paper with her raw emotions written on them asking my opinion and advice. Below is HER finished product. HER words. HER emotions that won her a full ride to attend college this fall. With her permission, I want to share a piece of her with you. Looking back to October, I met a shy 17-year old girl whose self-esteem was shattered and was at one of her lowest points, however today she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady who is smart, confident, and ready to conquer the world. Judith let me into her world one day at a time and touched my heart. She has forever changed me and I will never forget her.
A Letter to God : by Judith M.
“God give me the strength to keep on trying
To keep me healthy away from dying
Help me wash away my sins
So my new life can soon begin
So I can graduate on time
And keep them silly boys off my mind
To get a good job and take care of my child
And keep her off the streets from running wild
To teach her how all men ain’t good
Especially the ones in your hood
To take care of herself and be on her P’s and Q’s
So you won’t have to worry about no one but you
To get a good job and take care of herself
And tell them boys you can do bad all by yourself
How not to depend on no one and be independent
And to budget her money not to be out just spending it
So I can be proud of the child I raised
And not have to worry about how she behaves
I put my worries on these lines
Now they will be left behind
Now I feel so much better
Thank you God for helping me write this letter.”
Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying. If we reamin focused on our task or assignment no matter how difficult, we will surely reap a good reward for our efforts. Every great leader must have this combination. David’s excellent leadership combined both heart and art. To have one without the other leads to failure. “So he shephered them according to the integrity of his heart, and gudied them by the skillfulness of his hands.” (Psalm 78:72) This has been one of the biggest lessons I try to instill in each one of my clients who in their own way have touched my heart. Judith has remained focused and reminds me that change is possible.
Thank you for letting me share her with you!
LoveAlways,
Bri-Ski
Brianna Grande - Chicago
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05.10.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:09 am by osavolor
So there is this 5th grader named Kody at Bellesini (the school I teach at) who is one of the funniest kids I’ve ever met. For some strange reason, he refuses to say anything to me but his two famous catch-phrases “I hate you” and “You’re not my friend”. While these statements may seem bitter on paper, coming out of his mouth they’re priceless. Ever since the school year began, I have been really kind to this kid, to the point of being a cheesy teacher. I frequently single him out in a crowd and say “Have a great day Kody!”, just so I can hear the classic “You’re not my friend! I hate you!” The kid is well-liked in the school, and despite sounding angry, is actually a quite goofy, happy-go-lucky boy. He is one of the many kids I’m going to miss when the year is over…
Euris is a gifted student. I’ve been teaching him Algebra all year. He’s in 8th grade, and due to his intelligence is in a math and science class by himself. He is my only student for 1st period. I can not emphasize enough how much of a treat it’s been to get to know this guy. You would think Euris wouldn’t be too popular because the kids would be jealous of him. It’s quite the opposite. He is the best basketball, soccer, and baseball player in the school. He is also one of the quietest kids I know. The students (and staff) love him because of his gentle demeanor. He is very athletic and friendly to everyone. I haven’t met a soul at Bellesini who doesn’t respect and look up to him. I look forward to seeing him graduate next month, as he prepares to go to one of the best private high schools in the state.
When I think about this year and the work that I’ve done, what sticks out the most to me is the time I’ve spend getting to know these kids. The school is 85 percent Dominican - I’ve never met more people from DR (Dominican Republic) in my life. It’s been a blessing because I’ve formed a lot of great friendships with people ten years younger than me.
Talking to 7th grader Alvaro about the White Sox, or getting drawings from 5th grader Kevin (arguably the most genuine and happiest kid I’ve ever met) are just a few more examples of what I am going to miss about this year.
I spend the afternoons with Mary at Merrimack College. My primary role was to drive volunteers to their designated sites each week. Since the students are taking finals this week, and summer begins for them on Saturday, my duties for the college are coming to a close. I enjoyed being surrounded by a great group of students every afternoon in our sweet white van.
The year has gone by fast - I still have no definite plans for next fall (currently looking for jobs in Philly), but I have no regrets, and have had a great time here in Lawrence. As I ponder about the highlight for the whole year, the same night keeps coming to mind - the four of us were relaxing at this beach house during Veterans Day weekend) when the subject of Mary’s lover got brought up. I picked up my guitar and wrote a delicate tune about him called “The Bongo Song”. It was a glorious night. We’ll miss you Kip.
It’s been a good year, Chris
Chris Pusinelli - Lawrence
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05.08.06
Posted in AV 2005-06 at 10:09 am by osavolor
May has arrived the last full month at our work sites and I’m already having moments of nostalgia for the experiences of this year. During certain routine moments of the day, I think of little things that I’m going to miss in the future, especially the things that I know are unique to the Bronx or the Augustinian program. I thought I’d share a few of them…
7:00 AM weekdays- Hopefully around this time I am stepping out onto Andrews Ave. for a morning run. Running in the Bronx is not the easiest thing to do, but it is often an interesting one. I enjoy watching the streets wake up and come to life. When I head out, it’s rather quiet; there are just a few shopkeepers sweeping in front of their stores, sleepy-faced people waiting for the bus, and crates of chickens uncomfortably waiting in front of the live poultry shop, but the longer I trot along, the more the obstacles and noises increase and, before I know it, the sun is shining strongly and another day is in full swing. The path back is filled with kids in uniforms, rushing parents, street vendors, people with flyers, buses, car horns, and maybe some lively music. It’s a good way to start the day, especially when one of those kids or parents shares a smile and greeting, helping me feel like I am part of the community that I work in.
2:30 PM weekdays- I will be the first to admit that afterschool at St. Nick’s is not a piece of cake, but the way it starts off never fails to bring a smile to my face. No matter who you scolded or put in time-out the day before, all is forgiven, and this time of day is marked by getting nearly trampled by a group of kids rushing to hug you, hold your hand and tell you they missed you. It is really one of the sweetest things I have ever experienced. They also say the funniest things, as I’m sure the rest of you working with kids has noticed. One kindergartener told me he couldn’t help biting his cheeks while eating because his eyes were not in his mouth.
5:30 PM Mondays- I really like Monday nights. Sara, Jackie, Alyssa, and I get out of work and head next door to the priests’ for dinner. It is fun sharing a “social hour” and meal with our neighboring Augustinians. There is a nice mix of distinctive personalities around the dinner table, which can make conversation quite engaging at times. After dinner we have our community meeting and prayer and I think it is an excellent way to reconnect and regroup, especially if we had conflicting schedules over the weekend. I think our Monday night routine is reflective of the benefits Augustinian community life: we enjoy each other’s company (over a good meal, no less), discuss and hopefully resolve whatever issues there might be and then are able to share our faith with each other.
These are but a few of the many moments that I will miss when this volunteer year is over, but they are the first that came to mind and I hope you enjoyed reading them
Meredith Duval - Bronx
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