Kindling Fires

(This was written for a summer English project...the point of the assignment was to "reach out to someone in the community" and then write a one page essay about your experience. How'd I do?)

Kindling Fires

As my friends and I walked into Hill Country Care, I was more than a little worried by how we would be received. Maybe these elderly women would not care for our mindless chatter, as we served them what would seem like endless tea and cookies. I do not know what brought these thoughts upon me, but as we escaped the dry Texas heat and entered the air conditioned building, I quelled my worries. “What do we live for,” I quoted to myself, “if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” (Eliot, George).

As the day progressed, however, I could tell these wise old women really enjoyed our presence. Our company continually made our way around the room, working like busy bees as we poured hot water and provided sugar for those who desired it. Another quote comes to mind as I think about that warm summer afternoon: “If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.” (Larcom, Lucy). I’d like to believe that day I kindled a few fires in the hearts of those women. Their faces became visibly warmer with each sip of piping hot tea, and when they did my heart grew larger and brighter in my chest, like a rapidly growing star.

Maybe it was just because they had no one to talk to, or because any company they received was welcome, but the women we served tea to that day loved us. It felt wonderful, knowing my work and presence was being appreciated. And it never felt like work. Each task I completed simply added to my happiness, whether it was refilling a cup or passing out more napkins.

Whatever happened that day, I know that the short amount of time we spent there kept the fire in each woman’s heart burning for a very long time. And I feel transformed, too. I may have gained more that day than those women. For, as they say, “it is in giving that we receive.”