As I awoke on the spotless comfy mattress surrounded by a plethora of over-sized pillows and vast number of sheets that the Sandals resort provided, I could not help but to realize how fortunate my life has been until date. The prior’s day encounter with the children at the local Jamaican schools deeply impacted my frame of thinking and everything around me just did not seem justified. Their environment was completely different than the one we know of. They did not know any other reality but the one they were living in… and they seemed content with that. Their expectations were very few and far in between and their main concern was the education they were receiving. This was their focus. This was their breath. This was their life.

My surroundings began to look unfamiliar to me, strange almost, to the point that they just dissipated in my existence. The drapes did not appear to be drapes but more like protectors from the outside world. The carpets lost their luxurious appearance and began to transform into feet protections from the conditions of the floor. Did we deserve all this luxury? There were so many souls that deserved to be in my very same situation but their reality was by far in contrast.

After getting dressed, I proceeded to make my way down to the daily gathering area for breakfast. With my perceptions altered I entered the breakfast area to see, actually see the immense amounts of food that consumed every inch of space. My stomach turned and churned at the thought of the different choices we had readily available at our dispense. I knew that I had to eat but the thought of it nauseated my stomach. My senses were thrown off to the point that my life was passing me by like a Charlie Brown comic strip.

Despite my initial culture shock, the gratitude and respect that the Jamaican students have is admirable and commendable. Our presence alone was such a gift to each and every one of the students at the schools and they made that point very well known. They commended and admired us but I was the one who truly respected and admired them for the courage and strength that each one possessed.