Anniversaries

The second week of September brings about a lot of change. With the passing of Labor Day, Summer winds down and Fall looms around the corner with cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. Helllooooo flannel! Students and teachers begin another year of school (or their first year), ushering in a variety of emotions amongst both children and parents. And we welcome back American football. So long Sunday afternoons...

This time of the year also resurrects some unforgettable experiences. 14 years ago on September 8, 2001, I witnessed my first Red Sox-Yankees game in Yankee Stadium. As a newly appointed Red Sox fan and growing sports enthusiast, this was the ultimate sports experience. Along with 3 other friends and their dads, my father and I made the drive down to New York City for two nights, lodging at the Marriott Twin Towers. Three days later, as I sat in my 7th grade Social Studies teacher Mrs. Streb's class at 9:00 in the morning, I watched as that hotel, the well-known towers that surrounded it, and the pentagon were attacked by al-Qaeda, resulting in the death of nearly 3,000 innocent people.

Yesterday marked the 14th anniversary of 9/11, and today, 9/12, I hit the 1-year mark as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV). These types of events, both positive and negative, and their anniversaries provide an opportunity for reflection and change in our own lives and the world we live in. Specifically, 9/11 gave Americans a chance to unite together, to adapt, to "never forget," and to recognize the tremendous everyday sacrifice of our service men and women.

Peace Corps, in some ways, afforded me the same. As an RPCV, I've been challenged this past year to adapt and reintegrate myself into Western life while simultaneously finding the next part of my camino. The best part about this time: the opportunity to listen and observe family, friends, media, etc. to inform my own opinions and decisions. This is a daily challenge as we often become consumed by our innate busyness. Coincidentally, our failure as individuals and as a society to listen and observe has led to more division than unity...14 years after 9/11, one of the greatest opportunities in American history to create and define our unum.

Enough is enough

It is unfortunate how it sometimes takes death to remind us to cherish life. While certainly not an isolated incident, the nine lives taken in Charleston, SC on the night of July 17, 2015 are a vivid reminder of the inner problems we as individuals and as a country still face. Despite the words we write or conversations we have, little change has occurred as many of the same issues we've dealt with for centuries are repeatedly slapping us in the face. Will we continue to hide, sticking with the status quo and anxiously expecting someone else to fix them? Or will we proactively seek solutions on an individual and societal level, thereby putting the interests of humanity before our own?

Either way, it's time for a serious self-examination. We cannot continue to label ourselves by race, sex, religion, or political affiliation. While all of these help to define us and in some way strive to unite, more often they end up tearing us apart, creating arguments where there should be dialogues. Instead, we can utilize our intellect and gifts as human beings (i.e. communication, education, critical and rational thinking, love, respect, empathy) to facilitate change and recognize that we are all equal. We are ONE. That knowledge is more powerful and unifying than anything.

Simplicity

We live in a busy world. High speed, high intensity. High stress. It seems everything is go, go, go 24/7/365, leaving us little time to "sit back and smell the roses." Taking a break might mean someone else jumping in front of you, whether that be at the supermarket, at your job, or on the court. I've grown accustomed to this life as it is what I grew up in. Consciously or subconsciously, social and cultural norms are affecting our day-to-day thoughts and actions. And they are constantly evolving as we ourselves are. Beautiful, yet at times, terrifying.

Take a look at TV commercials for example. An advertisement by Coca-Cola or Coors may entice us to go to the fridge and grab one. Same is true for movies and popcorn, two words that go hand-in-hand. Even if we're not at the theater, we often feel the need to make popcorn when watching a movie from the comforts of our own home.

While I do appreciate the busyness, I have had a few moments since returning to the US where I long for Peace Corps simplicity. As an outsider, I was originally unaware of many Philippine social and cultural norms and in some cases, they didn't apply. This may sound strange, but there is a sense of freedom that you have as a foreigner. I was oblivious to this freedom in the moment, but I recognize it now that I have returned to the US. The freedom from your own norms and from the restrictions we place on ourselves. The removal of these norms and distractions allowed me to focus on what I value and craft my own personal ideology that I can turn to amidst the busyness.

All you need is LOVE

The past month has been...well...slightly chaotic to put it best. Between the holiday season, family get togethers (and sickness), the passing of a loved one, New Years, and a move down south, my life has been GO GO GO (I haven't had time to stop to collect my $200). But in the middle of the chaos, I found peace with one imagine. One moment that I will have forever.

The passing of my grandfather on December 30th brought both sadness and joy to my life. It is never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, but it is made easier by remembering the ways in which they touched your life. And by celebrating theirs. 

I am so thankful for the time I had with my grandfather throughout the years, but perhaps the best time we had together was since I've returned from the Philippines these past few months. The most precious moments to us are often defined by the unseen. No one else can witness a moment exactly from our vantage point. That's what makes them so special and unique. Because they are our own.

The love my grandparents have for one another is well-known. But seeing them continue to live through one another, in sickness and in health, is beyond words. Their love is the epitome of what love is, and I will always try to live by their example. 

Genuine. Expressive. Emotional. Unwavering. Unconditional. 

Love. Share it.