“Words cannot describe how life changing this trip was for me. It is the best thing I have ever been a part of”
This trip has been the most amazing experience of my life and I can’t think of anything that will be more rewarding. It was so much more than I even expected. Not only was it very emotional, it was also very educational. Being immersed in Poland and surrounded by a language and culture native to mine made me more accepting of differences. We saw so many interesting things and places. What was even more unbelievable were the children we met. I never realized how easy it was to fall in love with someone. The kids had such joy, it is almost impossible to believe that they are sick.
There are many things that this trip and the children have taught me, but there is one that I believe is most significant. Before I came on this journey whenever I had an overload of homework, had an argument with someone or even just woke up on the wrong side of the bed I would think to myself that it was the worst day ever. Sometimes I would feel sorry for myself and feel that life wasn’t fair.
After meeting these children I have realized what truly isn’t fair. Even though these children’s lives could end any day, they are still so happy and positive. Lukasz is a perfect example of this. I have never met such a happy boy in my life. He is so understanding and patient. He realizes that he is sick and may not have much time, which is why he lives each day to the fullest. His laugh is the most joyful and innocent sound I have ever heard. I truly believe that Lukasz has the ability to make anyone in the world happy. There is something about him that makes him so special which can’t be described in words. After this life changing experience I will never look at situations in the same light again. If ever I feel like I’m having a hard day I will think of Lukasz or Robert or their mothers, and realize how lucky and truly blessed I am.
One of the best and most emotional experiences for me was visiting the cystic fibrosis ward. It brought the children so much happiness to receive their presents and also to have us there to play with them. The laughter and smiles that came out of the children warmed my heart. One of the children especially touched my heart. His name was Victor. Realizing that I had the ability to bring joy to this precious little boy by just playing with him was so rewarding. It was so hard for me to leave him in the hospital knowing I would never see him again. I believe one of the reasons it was so emotional was because by looking at him he looked like a healthy kid. When we were at the cancer ward it was apparent that these children were sick; this was not the case with Victor. I truly felt heart broken to leave him in the hospital. It was one of the hardest moments of the whole trip for me because it was so difficult to understand and wrap my head around the fact that he is sick. Victor will be the child that I will never forget.
Being in the hospital with the children made me realize how important children are to me. I want to continue living my life helping and bringing joy to children. I now know why this is called a “Journey for a Lifetime”. The joy, happiness, laughter and tears expressed during this trip were so raw and real. During the trip I forgot about all the pointless things in my life and just concentrated on living in the moment and fulfilling the children’s fantasies.
Another thing I have realized is that I need to stop feeling held back and feeling like I don’t have the power to do something. Meeting these children and their mothers showed me that we all have so much strength and power inside of us, we just need to be aware so we can use it. I could probably write forever about how special the children are along with how much I have learned and grown.
Words cannot describe how life changing this trip was for me I feel that this trip has made me more understanding, grateful and aware of how precious life is. The experiences I have had I will keep for the rest of my life and continue to grow from them. I cannot express enough my thanks and gratitude to Coalition for Kids for making this possible. It is the best thing I have ever been a part of and I hope to continue to have such rewarding moments with them.
Julie Morine/Todd, Grade 12 student at Lockview High, Fall River, NS
A young Nova Scotian ambassador on her Journey for a Lifetime
