Demetrius

When I met Demetrius he was casually enjoying the beautiful October day in a park in Provo.  He wore a hoodie and jeans and looked like he didn't have a care in the world.  I struck up a conversation and learned about his life and dreams.  We all have dreams, but most of us doubt them and eventually forget them.  This young man was chasing them despite the difficulties.

In his early twenties with a clean appearance, Demetrius didn't look like the average person you might see living on the street.  I learned that he had actually just moved from North Carolina a few months ago and was attending Utah Valley University majoring in Business Administration.  He dreamed of finishing his degree and going on to get an MBA before returning home and taking over his family's roofing business.  I asked him if it was hard to be so far from home, and he said it was, but that he was glad for a change of scenery.  Not only had he come to Utah to get an education, but also to escape what he termed an arranged marriage with his former girlfriend.  So without much money to his name, or family to support him, Demetrius travelled across the country to start a new life and pursue his dreams.  Now he's loving school, and is even at the top of his class.  Good for you Demetrius!  I hope you achieve all that you hope for!

Before we said goodbye, he motioned to something that he wore around his neck.  Like me he had recently lost someone very dear to him.  His best friend had been serving as a Marine in the Middle East when he was killed just a few months ago.  In remembrance of his good friend, he wore his friend's ring and military dog tags on a chain around his neck.  Together we briefly mourned the loss of our loved ones and then said our goodbyes.  We all will face loss in our lives at some point, and as we reach out to others in our sorrow it can truly bring us together.

This kit delivery was made possible by a donation from: Dan Moyes, Schertz, TX