If you asked me 7 years ago what I planned on doing in the future, I would have told you the cliche, "I'm going to change the world and be a doctor speech." A turn of events in this world would change me. Little did I know, one family would help me find my calling of working with children. Growing up, I attended a school which created a buddy system between the middle school children and the elementary school children. The school assigned me the next girl in line, and life had signed me up for a much bigger task. The way this buddy system worked called for my presence in her life for a year or two before I moved on to the next child. If you asked me 7 years ago if this girl changed my life, I wouldn't have had an answer. If you ask me now, I would tell you this:

This little girl was nothing more than a cute kid who's hand I often held around campus. I had met her parents once or twice; they were quiet, as was I. It wasn't until December of my 8th grade year that this family would become a part of my life. This young girl, along with her two siblings, lost their father unexpectedly. The spiral of events that followed led me to these children. After the passing of their father, I began to babysit, trying to help my best here and there. These children still did not know me too well, but they began to change my world.

Over the course of my 4 years in high school, they became my own little siblings. I was more than a babysitter. We took beach trips, went on ice-cream dates and had movie nights just for fun. Over the holidays, we spent time together and exchanged gifts.

These children have grown through my eyes over the last few years. I have been able to watch them every step of the way like I never thought I would. Not only have they taught me how to love — they have shown me what my true calling is. Each of them have taught me lessons and shown me kindness, compassion and perseverance. I was put in place as a babysitter for a good reason. This became more than a job. It became a second home, a second family and a second opportunity for new beginnings.

Although what led me to them was unfortunate, I, along with the children, know their impact on my life has affected me now more than ever. As a current college freshman (who still babysits and visits them often), I have learned through them that whatever I decide to do in life needs to involve working with children. I am grateful for these kids and everything they have done for me.

Who would have know that a job could be so rewarding?

In loving Memory.