My dearest year of service, I was so afraid of what you would bring me. I couldn’t believe I was moving myself halfway across the country where my neighbor’s-son’s-best friend’s-aunt who I only know by association is the one person I could call if I had a real emergency. I remember stepping off the airplane in Boston completely terrified, petrified even, willing my feet forward and praying my heartbeat would slow down before it exploded. Little did I know you’d be one of the best things that ever happened, for you would somehow find a way to squeeze what seems like a lifetime of lessons into 11 short months. Although you weren’t what I expected, you’ve found a way to give me more than what I asked for. To start, you’ve made Brockton a place I proudly call myself local. I may not know the street names or have eaten at all of the restaurants, but I can tell you how encouraging the Tuesday morning yoga teacher at the Y is, how the crossing guard at Pleasant and Pearl takes hi
Just a young woman navigating the way of the world one prayer at a time.