I just got home from a conference for AmeriCorps in Kansas City. I had a lovely time, and bonded with more of my amazing colleagues, but the expense of the trip concerns me. We charted a bus, and stayed in a nice Marriott in the business district. It seemed a little too classy considering we are all trying to serve people who struggle with basic needs. Perhaps deals were cut, and it wasn't as expensive, but nevertheless cost was surely incurred. Normally cost is associated with things, but the information we received at the conference wasn't so extraordinary that we needed to travel five hours and stay in a snazzy hotel.
Meeting Cameron Clapp was one exceptional thing that wouldn't have been reproducible for all of AmeriCorps Missouri without bringing us to one place. Cameron is an athlete and a triple amputee. He overcame unfathomable adversity to be where he is at. Despite the loss of his limbs, and his twin brother Cameron is extremely positive. I was completely in awe of him and I hung around afterwards just listening to him talk to other people. I asked him if their were any pole vaulters who use prosthetics, and he gave me a hug.
This sort of awe, that overcomes me has occurred before with speakers that came to campus. I never know what to say to them, but I want to interact with them. I want to somehow absorb their wonderful wisdom.
Some of the most remarkable people I have met, were dying, or nearly died once. These experiences shake a person to the core, and instill feeling that life is so precious, that their is almost nothing worthy of getting upset about. I understand this truth on an intellectual level, but my heart hasn't caught up yet. Petty things still rile me up but I'm hoping that my head and heart reconcile to a place of divine positivity sooner than later. I'd rather not cheat death or die to attain such wisdom.
