AmeriCorps, Moving, And Med School Musings

As I sit here in my new townhouse located in my new city, I feel a sense of peace amidst the whirling dervish form that my life has taken over the past couple of weeks.

I wrapped up my final day as an AmeriCorps volunteer, closing out that chapter of my life. A very strange feeling not to be a part of AmeriCorps anymore. Very strange indeed. On our last day, I and the other AmeriCorps volunteers at my non-profit participated in a beautiful closing ceremony which gave us the time to reflect on our experiences working with the kids and share our thoughts on the year.

I didn’t expect to cry when I stood up to share my scrapbook project I had been working on over the past month. But somehow, I did. These type of things always happen when you’re least expecting them. The kids I worked with this year in Boulder, the adults I served last year in Hartford… they will stay in my heart for always.

The greatest thing I have taken from my AmeriCorps service is my firm and steadfast belief that we are all connected in this world. An individual’s actions do not exist in a vacuum. What we do affects others, and if for only this, I think everyone should be more cognizant of the implications of their beliefs, attitudes, and actions. As I head onto the next chapter in my life, I carry forth with me a greater awareness of the issues facing our communities in the US and the desire to offer my own particular attributes and skills to best serve my local community. To make it a better place in whatever way I can. This I know for sure: These past two years in AmeriCorps will resonate with me the rest of my life, and I sense that its full impact on me will reveal itself over the years to come.

After my final AmeriCorps day, I packed up all my stuff in a frantic and haphazard fashion (per usual) and moved from beautiful Boulder to vibrant Denver. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Denver. I’m not sure I do, even now. But this I must reveal, the city is surprisingly charming. Far more diversity than Boulder, which I very much enjoy. Nothing against Boulder, of course, but I like the fact that Denver just feels more “real.” Older, more lived in. You can sense the history around here as you cruise around the old neighborhoods and under the large trees shading many of the streets.

I will say this. I think I’m going to like my new home, and I’m sure it has many more surprises in store for me. Really, I think the next four years of my life has many more surprises in store for me as I begin this grand journey called medical school. I just hope I can step back from the constant studying and onslaught of anatomy terms and see the big picture every so often. I want to go back to those intentions I had with my AmeriCorps service. I hope that I’m able to recognize every once in a while that all the 2 AM studying sessions and the sleepless nights are not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of every patient I come in contact with. Of every member of my community I serve. That’s my goal with medicine: to serve those without a voice, to serve the marginalized, to serve those in need of support and help.

To serve.

T-minus three days and counting till it all begins…