Lending A Hand

I got out for Spring Break earlier than both of my siblings, so I figured I would walk around the city for the day and grab something to eat.

After eating an amazing chicken sandwich, I decided to “walk it off” around Friendship Heights for a while.

It was there that I met Elaine, who was sitting outside near the shopping center.

She told me that she was from Long Island, which made me smile because my dad grew up in the same place.

Her daughter moved to DC, so Elaine was just visiting, but she said she had “followed the sunshine” outside that day.

Back home, Elaine said she works as a high school teacher for special education students.

She said that she loves being able to help her students, and that she has grown awesome relationships with all of them. 

Meet Elaine

What brings her joy?

That act of helping others, especially her students, has always been Elaine’s source of joy.

Just watching them grow and learn has always made Elaine happy, and she said that it was a rare opportunity that not many people get.

She told me that she spent a lot of time advocating for the underserved as well, which was just as important.

I was shocked by how cool her story was, and Elaine even said that she now works with the American Red Cross organization to help with disaster relief.

Whatever way it is, Elaine clearly finds joy in helping others, which I think is really admirable and a good reminder to do the same.