One Last Stamp

Being in Italy I learned so much about the charism of joy. The joy of being in a beautiful place and seeing the interactions between the friars there. They all showed so much love and gratitude for their brotherhood for each other. It was really inspiring and such a gift to witness. We had so much exposure with the Friars at St. Francis Basilica and in Rome meeting the Minister General. And the common theme between all the interactions was their radiating gratitude and happiness for their brotherhood.

Being in Italy was just a close up view of my year. I saw the brotherhood in Syracuse as well. Seeing how welcoming the Friars were to Karlie, Amanda, and I was just an introduction to their hospitality towards others and within their own community. It impacted how I viewed my relationship with Karlie and Amanda. To be there for them when need be, to show no judgement, and just have love for them and their needs. I saw the Friars at Assumptions Church as an example of how to be in a community, and to be a good community member.

Not only that but Karlie and Amanda have shown me the Franciscan Charism with their selflessness towards me. Both have been such amazing models of putting others first and being nonjudgemental, truly could not have asked for better members to live in community with. They have been such an inspiration with the Franciscan Charism.

As I continue on, I hope to continue this joy for my relationships with friends and family that they see how loved and appreciated they are from me. Using not only the Friars in Italy or at Assumption as examples, but also the two women I lived with.

Throughout this year I really connected with my service sites. They were such a gift and joy within my life, and the people at my sites made my FrancisCorps year what it was. How welcoming and excited everyone was to have me there volunteering impacted how I viewed work. I have noticed a theme in my blogs, that I always mention how welcoming my service sites were and keep praising the people I worked with, but truly not enough could be said for the people at my sites and how much love I have for them and what they have done for me.

My previous work environments have not always been the most pleasant, and I have been shown the impact of burnout. But being in work places that were joyful and had people there that loved their work was eye opening. Showed me how your professional life impacts the other areas of your life. Being in a positive work place is not always going to be realistic with every work experience; however, knowing what a truly great and positive work environment does look like gives me the hope to try and make it better.

This moves me into where my next work will be!

I will be moving back to South Carolina for medical school. I am actually writing this on day two of medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am beyond excited for these next four years studying and to be back in South Carolina where I feel at home!

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