Live the Fourth

Spoiler alert: if you're planning to go on the Kairos retreat ever, don't read this blog post!!


Now that that's settled, let's talk about last night.

The last part of Kairos is the "homecoming," where family and friends of retreatants are at school, gathered together, waiting for them upon their return home. The retreatants have no idea that their families will be waiting for them, and it's a time to share what happened on the retreat and how the retreatants have grown and changed.

Homecoming was last night, and it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my entire life. I didn't even go on the retreat, but I was so amazed by and proud of the eloquence of these students. Students each have the opportunity (it's an open mic) to share a little bit about what they learned, and are able to publicly address their families if they so choose. So many students were so moved to tell their parents how much they love them, even though they don't show it. Most speeches were tear-filled, and I could tell that in many cases, there were no words to express the love these students were feeling.

Many students felt the need to apologize to their parents for not being the daughters/sons they know they can be, and for not showing the love that they feel. They touched upon showing their love and faith through actions, not through words alone.

Many other students took the opportunity to thank their parents for the sacrifices they've made. In the words of one of my students, "Mom, as a single mom, you put up with so much, and sacrifice so much for me. Excuse my French, but we've been through a lot of shit, and everything you do, you do for me. I love you so much." At this point, the mascara was running down my face, and I was so proud of my student for her strength and for showing the love she feels.

One student who took the opportunity to apologize to his dad had another surprise- as soon as the students were finished speaking, his dad got up to speak. The student had apologized for not being a good son, but his dad took the time to point out that his son's mistakes had been made out of innocence, that he didn't know any better. He's growing up, and he's expected to make mistakes. The dad told the whole room that instead of his son apologizing to him, he felt the need to apologize to his son. He hadn't been the dad that he could be, or that his son needed, and his mistakes were made out of ignorance.

cue: no more mascara on my eyelashes, all of it on my cheeks.

Having gone through Kairos in high school was such a powerful experience. I distinctly remember my own homecoming, and the homecomings after mine that I went to. The speeches are always so touching, but seeing kids who have all kinds of drama in their lives- far more than most of the girls I went to high school with- bare all and show such love and gratitude, was so overwhelmingly beautiful.

This was one of those times when I realized that regardless of how I physically came to be in that gym, it was the right place to be. There is a reason why I am in Texas, and it's to be with and learn from these kids.

On the way out, I heard girls calling my name- my juniors who went on the retreat. They all gave me hugs and thanked me for what I shared with them on the retreat (Kairos secrets, sorry). They then proceeded to tell me that we need to catch up this week- they feel like I'm the only one they can really talk to about anything, and they have a lot to process.

cue: Why did I even wear makeup?!

These students are amazing, and I am so blessed to be a part of this community! I can't wait to catch up with everyone who went on the retreat, both the students and teachers. They challenged me to think about what I learned on Kairos, and to live the fourth (Kairos secrets, sorry!) every day. It's a challenge we're taking on together, and I know we can do it.