Less than three weeks in Florida and we were already part of the team. Cramped in a van driving two hours to our first event. For some of us, this was the first TWLOHA event we had seen. There was an excitement in the air, as we drove and danced to Katy Perry’s “Firework” on the radio. For the staff members traveling with us, this was an event like many others and they probably knew what lay ahead. For those of us experiencing it for the first time, we were unsure what to anticipate. We all had our own expectations, fears and hopes for how this night would turn out.

When we arrived, we were hanging out in the lobby of an auditorium building on the campus of Florida Southern College. I was told that Frank Lloyd Wright had designed the building – that fact alone made me question how I got to this point. Some people left to get food for the rest of us, but I wanted to stay. I wanted to help out in any way possible and not miss a thing. People started arriving, so I jumped up to the table to help sell merchandise. T-shirts and hoodies in standard and girl sizes. It felt so natural for me. For a moment, I imagined myself traveling the country, in a band or with a cause like this. I pictured scenarios like hanging out before and after the event, striking up conversations and getting to know people and having light conversations. That is one way the good people at TWLOHA describe conversations – some are heavy and some are light. And both are important.

Before I knew it the event was starting. My seat toward the back with fellow interns and staff made me feel a bit detached from the rest of the crowd. Like I was supposed to be a veteran of such events, like I had been to dozens before. But it was new for me, and my attention stayed on that stage the entire time. A musician I have consistently listened to for the past eight years of my life was on stage in front of me, and even though I had just seen him play a month prior, this time felt different. More engaging. Then Jamie spoke, and it was the first time I had the pleasure of seeing him in action. I was blown away by his story, and more importantly, his honesty. He has a way to use humor when he speaks, so the serious topics he speaks about seem more balanced and comfortable to discuss – a very human quality to him that I don’t see in many people. He and Aaron and Denny are a force on that stage that hits everyone in the room. Their stories and their experiences are able to sum up the organization so well.

The part of the event I will never forget was when Jamie mentioned us, the interns, not just once but twice, in the context of our importance to the organization. It was in regard to the messages we answer, and the weight of that responsibility; our ability to get up in the morning and walk alongside strangers through their struggles with hope. The truth is that we do get up each day and do this, and we have all chosen to sacrifice parts of our lives for this. Some of us have put school, work or life on hold to come and help so we can offer hope and encouragement. The truth is, sometimes we ourselves are broken and breaking, and we can struggle just as much as the people writing in. I guess it was the way Jamie spoke about us interns, and how genuine we know he is. I could tell how much he values our contributions and our efforts. He made that clear to us, and everyone listening.

As the event ended I made my way out to the lobby with the rest of the staff and interns. We stood by the merch table to help out, and to be available for anyone who wanted to talk. I think going into it we assumed a hard topic might come up, but when it did, I found myself at a loss for words. A woman walked up to me and asked if we were interns. She then began to spill her story to me, and I nodded and listened. I really was listening, but all I could think was how I had nothing to say, and how I was afraid that once she stopped talking I’d just be starring at her.

Luckily, a more experienced staff member was standing there to hear her story, and offered to sit and talk with her. She asked me if I wanted to come along, and I quickly followed. For the first few minutes I just watched the conversation to see how it works. This woman opened up and was met with understanding, compassion, and reassurance. It seemed less intimidating, so I waited for a good moment to jump in, and I did. I tried to relate and to reaffirm this woman. I was left alone with her for a short time and tried my best to keep the conversation hopeful to help her feel at ease. Mostly I just listened, and tried to learn more about her. This was the time when I really understood what we mean when we tell someone that “their story is important.” As much as we try to reassure people that they are not alone and that others are just like them, it’s important that they realize how unique and special they are. People need to know that their story, every part of it whether it be good or bad, is important, because it is theirs.

We gave her some helpful resources, many words of encouragement, and told her that she could write in to us anytime she needed to talk. But before we all piled back into the van for the two hour drive home, Jamie thanked us, the interns, for the work we did. He reminded us that the people we help need reassurance and hope, and sometimes so do we. He showed us that we are important to him and the organization. He showed us that the reason TWLOHA events don’t have an end time is because we spend so much time in the lobby creating conversation. I feel like he would stand there all night just so he could speak with every person individually and give them all a hug.

And I really think we would all do the same.

Brendan
TWLOHA Intern, Spring 2011