By: Brooke Haseltine, GSHFS Volunteer

Summer is here. Sometimes it is hard to believe, given the hectic nature of our schedule, or Mother Nature’s persistent rain. But, really, open your window. You will feel the heat, and you will see children who would normally be in school, now running around the neighborhood, along with teenagers in tank tops and shorts that we all really know are too short. You will hear the sounds of water splashing at a near by pool, and the flip flops of countless women smack against the pavement. You will smell the humidity, and occasionally the smoke from a barbecue. It is easy to get lost in summer. It is easy to forget everything but your sun-tan lotion and your new sunglasses. It is easy to forget that for some, summer is characterized by the same struggle faced during all the other months of the year – finding and maintaining affordable housing. It is easy to forget that it only takes a little to make a difference in someone else’s life.

So far this week, my primary job has been to call different clients on our Emergency Services list and ask them how they are doing. I ask them if they are living in the same apartment, if their eviction was cancelled, in addition to other standard questions. Today, after almost two hours of calling houses, cell phones and faxing information to landlords, I received a call back from a man who I’d left a message for earlier. We talked for a while, and he explained that his family had moved apartments due to a surgery he had three months ago. When I asked him how they were doing now, he exclaimed: “Wonderful! Thanks to you people, everything is wonderful! I pray to God everyday that there will be more people like you.” I was touched by his enthusiasm, and after he finished answering the survey questions, I thanked him and told him to have a nice day. I’m not sure if he didn’t hear me, or if he didn’t care, but he kept talking. After another two minutes of thanking me, and inviting me and the whole staff for his house for lunch, I tried again, to say “good-bye” to this grateful man. I was unsuccessful. It took me two more tries until I finally hung up the phone.

The total time of the call was almost ten minutes. In those minutes, I was invited to lunch, and thanked in a million ways. We talked about his ability to speak English- I thought his was good, but he said his daughter’s was better. He told me how grateful his wife was- that she was making personal visits to every person that had helped their family. He told me how smart his daughter was, and how much Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services had given them as a family. Between every sentence, he stopped and professed his undying thanks. He continued to repeat: “you don’t understand…you people are wonderful…you help so much…” until the last second of our call, during which he hung up with a “God Bless you all”.

I have never been thanked so profusely in my life. This gentleman’s gratitude and his new found financial situation has not only illustrated the importance of Good Shepherd Housing’s mission but has also left me with a sense that a few good people can truly make a difference. It’s hard thing to remember when we are busy with school, homework, extracurricular activities. It is equally hard to remember, when we are busy planning our summer vacations, trips to the pool, or just enduring Virginia’s heat and humidity. People can make a difference. It’s amazing to me that a simple phone call could warrant that much affection and gratitude- but it happens.

This summer, I challenge you to remember something before you dive into a pool, or ride a beautifully curved wave. I challenge you to remember that the little things make a difference. If you’re going swimming, invite your little brother along (even though he really gets on your nerves). If you are at church, put the five dollar bill in the collection basket instead of the one. If you haven’t called your grandmother in a really long time, pick up the phone. If you see a neighbor, who needs help, lend a hand-even something as effortless as holding the door open for another person is a gesture of kindness. Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is indeed that simple, and it’s something to remember while you’re putting your sun-tan lotion on and relaxing this summer.