You forget sometimes...

It's so easy to get caught up in things (e.g. school, work, TESTS), that you can forget that there is something to be happy and grateful about. A lifetime ago (maybe a couple months really), I was a happy girl--I had two yummy balls of alpaca yarn in my hand. A baby blue, and a rusty red-orange one. Then school hit. Like a train. Thank goodness for the yarn. It helped me through the end of last quarter. And I completed a project.

At the time, Youth Venture Seattle had their offices broken into. One of my best friends, Tams, immediately threw herself into raising money for the organization. Tams volunteered and mentored with this organization and their mission of spotlighting young changemakers really struck a chord with her. Tams's efforts were tireless and she was able to raise money and find corporations to donate new computers and equipment. This was on top of her very busy work and volunteering schedule. At the time, all I could do was donate. And study. And knit. I talked to Tams about her work after the school storm. When I think about it, I am amazed. How could one person do all that she does in her spare time? That day, I gave Tams the hat that I knitted, not realizing that the colors I had chosen were that of Youth Venture's! It was all very fitting. And I realized then, that I forget sometimes, more than I like, about what's important. But most of the time (thank goodness), there's someone that reminds me, through selfless actions, of what truly matters.

--Jean