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By Taryn Cantrell, Class of 2016
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| Taryn Cantrell |
This past week I had the opportunity to do something I have never done before. Through the McConnell Scholar's Adopt a Platoon initiative, I wrote ten letters to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. While writing these letters, I had time to do something that I haven't taken the time to do in months: reflect upon my life, it's greater purpose and meaning.
As I began writing these letters, I started thinking about the great
service these men and women provide to America, and how we, the American citizenry, do not show enough gratitude toward them for their bravery and courage. These thoughts stemmed to my reflection on this past year. 2013 presented more challenges than I ever remember experiencing in one year, but I know these obstacles I faced were not of half the magnitude of those that others were presented, particularly those seen by the men and women fighting overseas for our freedom and safety. I immediately began to feel humbled and grateful for my fortune and many opportunities I have been granted.
One of the opportunities that I am most thankful for is being part of the McConnell Center where I am presented with the opportunity to be involved in such meaningful community service work. If it had not been for The Center providing this opportunity, I honestly probably wouldn't have ever sat down and written these letters. Not only has The Center provided me with these opportunities, but it has also taught me new ways in which to think and expand my imagination. It is with these tools that I was able
to take such a simple task and turn it into one of the most meaningful moments of my life.
By simply sitting down in solitude for two hours while writing, I gained so much more than ten signed and sealed letters. I was able to reflect on my life, others' service, and become completely humbled and appreciative by the service that others so willingly give to strangers. It was while signing the last letter that I realized the world would be a much better place if we would all adopt the mindset of those in the military serving with such bravery and strength. It would be astounding to see more people show their appreciation to our soldiers through letter writing; it is guaranteed that they will find themselves with far more than physical letters at the end of the day.
Taryn Cantrell is a sophomore McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. She is majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering and minoring in Political Science.