Final Day at Rebuilding Together

As incredible as my experiences have been this year, one thing that's always hard is wrapping up the end of a project. After around two months of working with the same community and really getting into the routine of things, it comes time to leave, and it's at that point, especially, when you realize the impact you've had all round.

Much of this week was a continuation of the previous week. A couple of team members working in the warehouse, a couple in the Salvage Store, three out on a site painting a house, and Chris and I as runners. As runners, Chris and I take an RT vehicle out and run supplies to the various work sites throughout the day. It involves a lot of driving, lots of phone calls, trips to Loews to purchase supplies, and of course, in turn, the occasional trip to the gas station. It's a job I've enjoyed the most with this project, and Chris and I have been placed here for the past two weeks.

Today was the average running day for us, except that it was our final day with the project. After hearing from staff of their appreciation for us and how much we've contributed, it makes you realize that you aren't permanently with the project. That's where it gets difficult. After 6 weeks with RT, it feels as though we are part of the staff; the goodbyes, however, bring us back into perspective. It feels as though until today, we're in the mindset of expecting to show up to work on Monday, load up our vehicles, drive the I-10, and begin another week of literally rebuilding together.

No, that isn't the case. But most importantly, it does allow me to see how I've made an impact, and what more I can do after this journey. Rebuilding Together, like every other non-profit organization we've worked with, will always be there, because the community needs it to be there, and because I need it to be there. Today may have been our last day of the last project of this year, but nothing it preventing it ever from being our final.