Today I met someone...

that really changed my perspective on the way I view life. The day was proceeding normally, and everyone was busy with different patients, cleaning up rooms, or assisting the dentist. When this African American woman walked into the clinic, I escorted her to one of the rooms to sit down in the dental chair, and she just started to tear up. After many questions, I realized that this woman had been through a lot and could not hold in her tears. She told me that she had recently lost her daughter in a car accident and her husband to a bullet. I was completely surprised and did not know how to respond to such a tragic incident. What was I suppose to say? How was I suppose to respond? She had lost everything that was important to her, and I did my best to console her. Thinking back, I learned a great deal of compassion and sympathy for someone I never even knew. Life is too short to divide our love for anything other than God or our family.

 -Duc Lam

When talking to...

most of the homeless patients, we would cover many topics from the weather and sports to politics and their personal lives. Furthermore, I felt that, as Houstonians, we could easily relate to each other through the events that have happened in Houston over the years. For example, this one man and I were sharing stories about hurricane Ike, illustrating to each other the extent of the damage that was done during that time. I told him that my grandparents’ house was completely flooded and that the clean up process was very tedious and extensive. However, he proceeded to tell me his experience during the hurricane from the perspective of a homeless person. I was astonished to hear that he lived through hurricane level winds with nothing but a tent and a sleeping bag, making me feel embarrassed and shameful that I had been complaining about the cleanup process while he had been struggling to survive. He thanked God the night of the hurricane while I took everything for granted. I was able to learn an important lesson about thankfulness during a fifteen minute talk with the patient, and I believe it was well worth it.

-Duc Lam

There was one thing...

that surprised and bothered me today. There were a few patients today that were rude and expected complete and speedy service as if we were a fast food joint instead of a free dental clinic with patient overflow. These select patients were not grateful at all for the volunteer work that any of us were providing and expected no less than the quickest service even though we were backed up with many patients waiting to be seen. This made me feel unappreciated. However, I realized that I am not volunteering for positive feedback, but rather in order to do good for people who are less fortunate than I am, allowing me to learn and understand the original reason why I enjoy volunteering in the first place.

-Duc Lam

After about one month....

of volunteering at Healthcare for the Homeless Houston, I realized that I was completely comfortable working at the dental clinic. I knew where everything was located, I developed a friendship with all of the other volunteers and workers, and I enjoyed talking to the patients before I assisted the dentist in the various procedures that I know like the back of my hand. However, I began to feel like my volunteer services were insignificant and that I was not able to help the homeless patients in their larger and more important problems. When some of the patients truly thanked us for our help, however, it helped me realize that just being there for them, talking with them, and understanding their situation makes a world of difference, allowing them to feel accepted even if they are in a difficult situation and learning that even the smallest kind gesture may mean the world to someone else.

-Duc Lam