Living in Tucson for over nine years, I thought I knew all there was to know about this western border town. As usual, I was wrong. This weekend has brought about a new perspective for me on many things, some of which I will cover throughout the week. Despite its relevence to my usual topic, I feel compelled to write about the most rewarding experience first: our trip to
St. Andrew's Clinic in
Nogales, Arizona, on the
border of Mexico. There I saw children from around Mexico with disabilities and ailments, who came to the clinic for medical treatment. The children of St. Andrew's Clinic are beautiful. Smiling through it all and gracious for the help they were given, they opened my eyes to what it's really all about.
When we first arrived, I was nervous. I had heard and seen many things about the clinic and knew that I wanted to do it justice in our
publication. I wanted to cover every angle, meet all the volunteers and hear every child's story. But of course, I didn't even come close. The few children I was able to meet captivated me so much, it was time to leave before I knew it. I began to think that I could be any one of them. And any one of them could be me. I thought that if they had been born on this side of the border, this type of treatment would be readily available to them at all times. But I didn't hear a single complaint from anyone. All the volunteers were happy to help. The children were happy for the help, as were the many parents who drove their children for hours just to seek it. And meanwhile, I felt helpless. I felt a little out of place. I wasn't helping, I was simply observing.
Throughout my day of trying to coordinate the chaos, I found myself entranced in a moment of reality. I went there with a purpose of getting every story in the perfect online multimedia format but instead, I found myself overwhelmed by the powerful message of love, selflessness and gratitude. It was difficult, but the children kept smiling and despite the tears welling up in my eyes, I smiled back. I walked in nervous, and I walked out inspired. The day came to an end as we drove our cars back to our normal lives in Tucson. There was something different about the ride home, though, and I think everyone in the car felt it. We had just experienced something great. And we wanted to go back.
Living in Tucson for over nine years, I thought I knew all there was to know about this western border town. As usual, I was wrong. This weekend has brought about a new perspective for me on many things, some of which I will cover throughout the week. Despite its relevence to my usual topic, I feel compelled to write about the most rewarding experience first: our trip to St. Andrew's Clinic in Nogales, Arizona, on the border of Mexico. There I saw children from around Mexico with disabilities and ailments, who came to the clinic for medical treatment. The children of St. Andrew's Clinic are beautiful. Smiling through it all and gracious for the help they were given, they opened my eyes to what it's really all about.
When we first arrived, I was nervous. I had heard and seen many things about the clinic and knew that I wanted to do it justice in our publication. I wanted to cover every angle, meet all the volunteers and hear every child's story. But of course, I didn't even come close. The few children I was able to meet captivated me so much, it was time to leave before I knew it. I began to think that I could be any one of them. And any one of them could be me. I thought that if they had been born on this side of the border, this type of treatment would be readily available to them at all times. But I didn't hear a single complaint from anyone. All the volunteers were happy to help. The children were happy for the help, as were the many parents who drove their children for hours just to seek it. And meanwhile, I felt helpless. I felt a little out of place. I wasn't helping, I was simply observing.
Throughout my day of trying to coordinate the chaos, I found myself entranced in a moment of reality. I went there with a purpose of getting every story in the perfect online multimedia format but instead, I found myself overwhelmed by the powerful message of love, selflessness and gratitude. It was difficult, but the children kept smiling and despite the tears welling up in my eyes, I smiled back. I walked in nervous, and I walked out inspired. The day came to an end as we drove our cars back to our normal lives in Tucson. There was something different about the ride home, though, and I think everyone in the car felt it. We had just experienced something great. And we wanted to go back.
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