by Ryan Arduini

Created on: February 13, 2009

We've all had moments throughout our ever so complicated lives where we've felt extremely joyous or extremely sad. This life we lead is a series of ups and downs no matter which way you look at it. In my personal life I've learned to take what the day gives you and be happy for what it is.

There was a time when I was all alone. I was literally homeless on the street and I'd never been in that situation before. My family was back home miles away and whoever I could get in touch with didn't want to help. Everyday was spent worrying about the next. What I would eat and where would I sleep. I felt like I couldn't go on. It was as if my life had passed me by at the tender age of twenty-six.I

couldn't remember how I'd got into that situation. Everything had just happened so fast. After my mother had passed earlier that year my world went into an awful downward spiral. I had nowhere else to turn but I ventured out for solace as best as I could.

After a couple weeks went by I found some asylum at a local rescue mission. My third day there I met a somewhat awkward and quirky girl who seemed very full of life for being in such a terrible situation. I remember sneaking glances at her because I was so intrigued. I could not understand how she was able to laugh and joke with the rest of us helpless people. She must have felt me watching her because within the first few minutes she walked over my way. We exchanged introductions and she asked me why I looked so mean. Those were her words, "mean". I explained to her I wasn't mad. I just felt sad and empty and had nothing to be happy about. Upon hearing this she immediately invited me to attend church with her later that night. I rejected. When she asked why I explained I'd felt so guilty for the way I'd lived my left I could not go, I couldn't take the guilt. Deep down I really wanted to go something just wouldn't let me. She persisted and in the end I reluctantly accepted her invitation.

At the church she introduced me to everyone there, the Pasteur and the whole congregation as if she'd been attending for a very long time. I later learned she had only been there a couple of times. I sat next to her in church and enjoyed her company. She was just so full of life.

After returning to the rescue mission later that night we spoke for hours outside in a common area for all the residences. She told me about her life and all she'd been through. This was not her first time at a rescue mission either. She explained how happy she was just

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