Pure Bliss

     According to Dictionary.com bliss is defined as supreme happiness. Although my experiences with NOLA are extremely hard to properly describe due to the fact there are few words in existence that would be suitable to preform the task, a state of pure bliss comes to mind when I reflect upon each memory. This past year has been truly transformational in a way I never imagined possible. I know that my service learning family would agree that nothing in the world can compare to this program. By nature I can be a negative person when I am forced with a situation I find extremely stressful, for instance a few problems that used to make me shut down eliminating every ounce of hope are climate change, homelessness, and starvation. This program made me believe. Now, instead of feeling alone in my deep concern for these issues and other more personal problems, I have a support system that cares just as intensely as me. NOLA gives a voice and a chance to those who could not find the power and confidence they need to change our world for the better. This extraordinary gift has sent me into an eternal state of hope and bliss, one that I hope will never end.

     It is my second year in the service learning program, and I will never be able to express my gratitude that I have for that Friday night in December of my freshman year when Mr. Kane called me to ask if I would be a Giving Tree Coordinator. Now I am fortunate enough to participate at an even deeper level as a NOLA Coordinator. Last year was the most rewarding year of my life and I owe much of that to this program. From the first meeting I was hooked, service learning is like catnip to me, I can't get enough. Beautiful memories of volunteering at Heifer, playing waitress at Spaghetti Supper, scrambling around to find gifts for children during the Christmas season, various random acts, the first time everyone became family at our Thanksgiving meal, will last the rest of my life and this list doesn't cover even a tenth of the experiences I have had. Most days are lost in the abyss, and the few we do remember can sometimes fade. However, if there is one thing I know for sure it is that the majority of the days I remember from the past year, all of the moments of impact, have been because of service learning and the beautiful people I have worked with. I am looking forward to my final two years in this program and even though I will be sad when it ends a wise man once said to me, "Don't be sad because it's over, smile because it happened."

-Liz Palmer