Dear Sandra,

I’m so happy I met you today. I like to say hello to everyone I pass on the street, but I do get nervous when someone approaches me. It can be scary as a young woman in a big city to be approached by a stranger, but it takes so much more courage to fight homelessness. As we ordered our pizza you told me about your wonderful 4 children, your kind parents, and the struggle you have been fighting for the past 6 months to keep a roof over your families head. Your energy and courage was undeniable, and you had a great way of making everyone in the room smile.

Thank you for having the patience to share your story with me and giving me the opportunity to listen to and support you. It pains my heart to know there are many families like yours, kind and courageous, who despite the odds are trying their best to make ends meet. I may have given you a listening ear and a pizza, but you gave me the perspective to go through life with compassion and empathy, the courage to face all of my fears with a smile, and an immense gratitude for all things in my life, good and bad.

Yours truly,

Sarah