DENVER IMMERSION DAY 3 PART 2

You can never know just from a first impression. Being both my second to last and second day, this experience has been quick, yet also full of expression. The primary takeaway from today was to realize that these kids are not going to be the same kids in every environment. Each kid reacts to a situation through their unique perspectives and based on how they were taken up to see the world. This view isn’t mine or any other person’s, just theirs. What made today and the previous day different was the noticeable shift in each child depending on who they were around, what was going on, and what they were doing. On the first day, all these things came as a wave of shock and misunderstanding. I cannot assume one kid is nicer or more hateful than the other because each perspective is unique to the circumstances of their growth, yet it is a challenge to be face to face with someone and not knowing what is behind the angry face or irritated smirk. Despite the barrier of thought, I have a commitment to be that open hand that the children can grasp and be willing to know them without understanding. While I am not in the place to fix anyone or change how they are, I am dedicated to fully loving even without fully understanding. When I leave tomorrow, I don’t want this dedication to end, but I want it to be consistent in any situation I find myself. To remain faithful to the children I have met, I can continue to set myself with an unbiased outlook. Furthermore, it is easy to assume either side of things by what we see, but it is not a full or complete outlook.