Remember that it's hard because it's worthwhile.

My mom and I have started doing a weekly thing where we go to a place called The Root Cellar between 3 - 5 PM and help out with the kids there. For those who don't know, The Root Cellar is a rec center in downtown Portland where kids from all over go to play for a while. They have a bunch of options of what to play, from ping-pong to Candyland and everything in between. Even though we go on Fridays, which are less busier days, things can still get pretty hectic, but it's still fun to do. This past Friday, since Valentine's Day is around the corner, Mom bought tons of paper, doilies and stickers for Valentine cards that the kids could make. I stayed at a table the whole time, working on my own Valentine card, which looked something like this (except that the first one was much, much more detailed):

I wasn't making them for anyone in particular. I just made some as an example for other. Almost all of the kids working on their own cards mentioned that I was putting a lot of concentration into my own card. One young girl complimented my card, and I thanked her in return.

"Can I have it?" She asked me when I was finished.

I looked up at her and all of the glee in her eyes. I must also mention that she was one heck of a cute child. Since, once again, I wasn't making the card for anyone in particular, I gave her the card, and she thanked me. I went on to making another card that also took tons of concentration to make. I don't know what it is with me, but I was intrigued by how complex Valentine's cards were in the early 1900's. Of course, I couldn't make cards like those, but I still put a lot of little details and such into my cards.

Not long before I left, the same girl that I gave my first card to gave me the card that she made. On top was some sort of trophy of hearts, and on the bottom, she had her name in big, cut-out letters, with the letters of my own name written inside of them. "I wanted to give you this," she said, "since you gave me a card." I thanked her, and she proceeded to give me a huge hug.

And it felt amazing.

Sometimes, environments similar to The Root Cellar can make me feel a little anxious. Then again, I feel anxious about a lot of things. Still, though - you never know what's going to happen when you're out. However, moments when I brighten somebody's day, even by just a little bit, have to be the most rewarding moments of my life. Seeing other people being joyful makes me feel joyful on the inside.

I went on to make more Valentine cards this afternoon that are also not addressed to anyone specific, but I hope that I can give to somebody at some point.

Here are my finished projects.

The inside of the card above. In case you can't read it, it says "You deserve something that's as sweet as you are."

This was the other card that I made at The Root Cellar. I have a thing for drawing eyes these days.

The inside of the card above. It says, "You make me starry-eyed." Hardy har. 

Valentines cards are usually a win-win - they're fun to make, and you make somebody's day. That has to be a legitimate reason to love such a day besides Valentine's day being my birthday, right?

Your Sister In Christ,
Rachel.T