Megan+M

For most of my life I never believed in any type of religion, although living in a country where I have that choice. I’ve never had much construction to my morals except personal experience of my ideas of right and wrong. And in those experiences I believe you learn the most needed lessons because those are the lessons life intends and throws at you to learn.
 * Love thy neighbor**

January 23rd 2008 my family and I were struck by a devastating house fire at 2:30 in the morning. After safely exiting the fire engulfed home we fled to our neighbors home. After a minute of screaming and panicking they came running to the door. Welcoming us with more than open arms they gave us a phone to call the fire department and clothes to warm or shivering limbs.

After the hospital we returned home to gather anything that could be saved, and immediately we had family, current, as well as lost touch with, friends, even strangers doing whatever they could to help us. Everything from giving us clothes and accessories, to make us feel comfortable, to offering their homes for us to stay in. We received all the materialistic things you could imagine, as well as the best thing of all, a ear to listen. These efforts of selflessness and care gave me the strength and support I needed to over come this tragic loss.

Although the experience was traumatic and full of loss, I will never forget the kindness of everyone in our community. My ideas of how people treat each other have changed drastically. I now realize that when you are down people don’t kick you, they help you back up and give you something to smile about. I believe that even in hard times you are never alone. I believe that in our country and in our state we are given the choice to help others in need because we are given the opportunity to have so much our selves. I believe in loving thy neighbor as thyself.