AmeriCorps Member
Like most things, the pandemic has made brunches at Angela’s Villa a bit different this year.
Instead of the larger gatherings we used to have, some folks Zoom, those at the house sit farther apart, and we have to limit the amount of people allowed to attend -- a problem we're lucky to have!
On a recent Sunday, Sister Norma, Beatitude House Immigrant Outreach volunteers and YSU students Victoria and Bella, and I met for brunch. As we talked about current events, our own lives, and the challenges the world is collectively facing, we realized every one of us was bogged down by stress in some aspect.
The concluding sentence of our prayer summarized our feelings and conversation perfectly:
“Walk with me when I want to run away from the negatives of life instead of desiring to grow
through them.”
Joyce Rupp
Reflecting on the year 2020, we realized everyone has been touched by disappointments and negative feelings.
One young adult mentioned that when going through a negative or particularly difficult time, she feels like she must “power through” the stress she feels.
Our conversation then turned to the “negatives” of the pandemic, society, and injustices happening around the world. We realized these situations offer all of us an opportunity to be innovative and answer the call to action.
New ideas and camaraderie that stem from negative times, especially this year, made all of us hopeful for the future.
Contemplating how we grew through past challenges allowed us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This brunch reminded us we truly do grow through tough times, even when we do not realize it in the moment!
For the rest of 2020, let’s all strive to uncomfortably grow through the negatives of life, hopeful for a better future!
(Below are Bella, Marta and Victoria)