The Dreamer's Pen

Today is the end of the day, and I’m still carrying everything I saw.

I went in expecting a few hours of volunteering, thinking I’d help in small ways and leave feeling like I had done something good. But the day unfolded differently. My shift lasted far longer than planned because people kept coming. Families, elderly folks, single parents and children all quietly moving through with needs that felt urgent, silent, and deeply human.

I helped with so many different things, bagging drinks, packing and dividing food for families (biscuits, bread, toilet paper, and other staples included), helping guests pick out what they needed, and arranging apples donated by a local farmer. Simple, repetitive tasks, yet there was something quietly transformative about them. I’m not used to being on my feet for hours at a time and all the lifting made me sore in ways I didn’t expect. I already have a massage scheduled for tomorrow morning and I know it’s going to be much needed. And still, the physical exhaustion didn’t feel like a burden, it felt grounding, humbling, a reminder that serving others can be physical as well as emotional.

What hit me the hardest were the elderly folks who came alone. Watching them navigate the line slowly, some leaning on canes or walkers, quietly taking what they needed – oh it was heartbreaking. There was humility in their presence, dignity in their quiet acceptance, and courage in their willingness to ask for help. It was humbling to witness their resilience and to realize how much strength it takes just to get by.

The number of families needing food, baby formula, and diapers was staggering. It’s one thing to hear about need and another to see it firsthand. Even amidst so much need, there was generosity and care everywhere. Local businesses and farmers were donating enormous amounts of food and resources, showing up for their neighbors in ways that were quietly and deeply beautiful. Seeing that kindness meet need was grounding and inspiring all at once.

One of the moments that will stay with me forever was running into one of my students. She was so happy and thankful to see me there, and she gave me the biggest hug. That small interaction reminded me of how powerful presence can be. Sometimes it isn’t grand gestures or perfect solutions that matter. Sometimes it’s simply showing up, being human with one another and noticing someone’s existence and worth.

By the end of the day, I was physically sore, tired, and ready for rest, but emotionally full in a way that rarely happens. Today reminded me that volunteering isn’t just about giving. It’s about observing, connecting, and bearing witness. It’s noticing the elderly man leaning on his cane, the parent juggling a baby and a grocery bag, the student who lights up because you are there. It’s about showing up, even when it’s inconvenient, tiring, or uncomfortable.

Today was humbling, heartbreaking, inspiring, and grounding all at once. And tomorrow, as I treat my sore muscles to that massage, I’ll carry these lessons with me – presence, empathy, generosity, and the quiet, profound ways we can make a difference in each other’s lives.