How was your trip? That’s the question I’m faced with every time I’m with someone that knows I was gone. Before this trip I would have thought that a question like this would be fairly simple to answer but now, even after five days of being back, I can’t quite find a simple answer to this question. My mind just floods back with bittersweet memories from Nashville, everything from country line dancing to driving away from that house on Neil Street that seemed like home for just four days. And that last one is the one that brings back a knot to my stomach because although the homeowner was happy with the work we had done, we somehow left wanting to do more. Tears welled up in my eyes from pure happiness knowing that we left hope in this man’s home for a better future and a brighter tomorrow. As ironic as it sounds, all overcastting clouds that had been around since Wednesday disappeared by late Saturday morning as we spent our last few minutes jumping up and down in downtown Nashville. But even now as I laugh at the sound of “Once A Dream” on the radio, how could it be that I still feel these bittersweet feelings? Well I guess I do have one simple answer for that: I left part of my heart in Nashville, Tennessee. I know as much as I try to explain my experience to others, nothing will beat the real thing. I know I can now say from the bottom of heart that making a difference is the best feeling in the world and I’m so grateful for being able to meet the people from Tennessee that welcomed us with open arms and for having so many great people along for the ride.
Natalie Cespedes
P.S. Shout out to Team ALPHA that welcomed me like I had been part of the family all along.
