| The end of the year is upon us and with it comes | | | | the doing. To do good for others you have to dive |
| the opportunity to close a chapter of our lives and | | | | in. Work at a food bank. Give the guy at the |
| start anew. | | | | intersection $5 and a kind word. Volunteer at a |
| What an amazing annual event this is. Do any of us | | | | charitable organization. Visit the prison. Help the sick. |
| truly appreciate the opportunity this time of year | | | | Donating money is fine but it's giving by proxy; give |
| gives us? We start January 1, fresh as all the events | | | | of yourself, in addition to your pocketbook. |
| prior become something that happened 'last year.' | | | | There are dozens of organizations that rely on |
| Leading up to New Year's Eve, we reminisce on a | | | | volunteers to fulfill their mission. I'll name two because |
| year in which we had success and disappointments; | | | | I am familiar with them; hospice and the Guardian ad |
| happiness and sadness; opportunities for love; a | | | | Litem program. Both operate on a local level. |
| lifetime of emotions. Some people have ended the | | | | Hospice is a place where people, young and old go to |
| year broke, their money lost, others have made their | | | | die. Nobody should enter or leave this world alone. |
| fortune. Some have lost or gained a job. Some have | | | | These volunteers comfort the dying; talk to them; |
| found or lost their faith, for a million reasons; others | | | | provide them emotional support; empathize and |
| have had a spiritual awakening. Either way, when it | | | | counsel, ensure their comfort. At times simply being |
| comes down to it we all have a reason to be | | | | present at the bedside is all that is asked. Your time |
| cheerful; we are alive, ready for a new beginning. A | | | | is cherished and very welcome. |
| clean slate awaits. | | | | The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, also known |
| Try as we might we can't relive the past nor can we | | | | as the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA); |
| predict the future. That's an excellent reason to | | | | these groups are entirely volunteer based and |
| enjoy the moment we have now. Because we truly | | | | provide extensive support services for abused, |
| only have this moment. Take a look around you as | | | | abandoned and neglected children in our community. |
| you finish reading. Look at your loved ones, your | | | | GAL volunteers represent the best interests of these |
| friends, your pets; the people who are important to | | | | children in court. The volunteers are the eyes and |
| you. | | | | ears of the judge and, armed with a powerful court |
| Enjoy them for who and what they are today, as | | | | order, investigate the cases to which they are |
| they (or you and I) may not be here to appreciate | | | | assigned to ensure that the children are properly |
| next year. Our lives comprise of a series of chapters, | | | | represented and receive the services from the state |
| some long, some short; all of which will inevitably end. | | | | to which they are entitled. |
| Life is fleeting, fragile, and ultimately, fatal. We exist, | | | | A single case could take up perhaps four hours a |
| briefly, between two eternities. | | | | month; many volunteers who have the time take |
| We can however add meaning - texture - to our | | | | multiple cases, however one case is all that matters |
| lives. | | | | to the children involved. You will receive extensive |
| By adding meaning we provide a purpose to our | | | | training - online and in-person - in all aspects of the |
| existence and that is one of the best natural | | | | law and the intricacies involved in handling this |
| anti-depressants around. The secret of success, for | | | | rewarding work. You will also undergo a thorough |
| true self-fulfillment, for our slice of heaven on earth? | | | | criminal history and background check due to your |
| No matter your faith or belief it can be summed up in | | | | proximity to children. |
| the one sentence from biblical text so often quoted, | | | | A final note. As a Guardian you may the only person |
| "do unto others as you would to yourself." Help | | | | in the world a child has to speak for them. |
| others. In doing so nature, the universe, G-d, will smile | | | | Remember that. And in the case of hospice, you |
| on you and your life will be become more filled with | | | | could be the last person a dying person sees or feels |
| joy than you can ever imagine. Try it. | | | | before they leave this world. |
| Get your hands dirty. Planning, meeting and talking | | | | As 2009 rolls in, start giving and you'll start living. |
| are great for starters however the real reward is in | | | | |