Humanity

Today, I woke up super early (for a Saturday) and drove out to the airport to a Habitat for Humanity build.  When I got there, I realized the house was already built, and they just needed us for landscaping..  It rained yesterday so, I got up close and personal with the mud. Mud is really heavy.. but we were there for a reason.   I don't have my own house and I think the former me would have been a little jealous, or at least wishing I had a house too.. but today at the dedication of the house, with the family and friends gather of the three new homeowners I was so happy to be a small part in their American dream..  

One woman was an administrative assistant who had a 9 month old daughter and I teared up as she said how happy she was to be able to have her daughter's first Christmas in their first home. Another woman was a dental assistant who was moving in with her fiance and was so overwhelmed that she could not make it through her words. And the last man was a man from the Sudan, who had just received word that his wife and daughter would get their visas on Tuesday so they can join him here from Kenya.  

A church in Cascade sponsored the project, and they gave each family four tokens towards their future. First they received a loaf of bread to symbolize that no one in the home will ever go hungry. Second, they each got salt, so that they lives will be filled with flavor. Third, they got sparkling wine (non-alcoholic womp) so that they would always have joy and levity.  Lastly, they got a dollar, so that no one in the home would ever be without money.  I felt the joy and wished those things for them too. I envisioned them all moved in with furniture, enjoying the peace of the woods behind them, and the security of a home of their own.  In a time of economic frailty, it felt really good to help someone grow their roots and achieve their dreams.  I know that I am getting one step closer to mine.