Did you ever know that you're my hero?

Spring has arrived in New York City. People are basking in the sun or reading under the cool shade of a blossoming cherry tree in Central Park, the ice cream truck's familiar tune becomes the soundtrack of the streets, and the man on 125th has started his daily routine of push-ups on the sidewalk for all to see. If you thought NYC had crowded streets during winter, "you ain't seen nothin', yet" in the spring. After a day spent absorbing spring into my skin in what is called the "Sheep's Meadow" of Central Park, I realize, once again, how much I love this city. My leisurely bus trip (who can bear to hide from the city on such a day in the dark subways?) back to my apartment in Harlem, exposed me to the vibrant explosion of life that had been long held in a tight bud during the cold winter months.

My 23rd birthday has come and gone. It wasn't the most exciting of birthdays, but I guess I'm "getting to be that age." I had to go to work on my birthday. Let me rephrase that: I wanted to go to work on my birthday. City Year was in the midst of our week-long spring break leadership camp, fittingly called Heroes' Summit. We recruited the best of the best from our two middle schools in Harlem and teamed up with our "sister team" to facilitate a week of activities and lessons designed to create little leaders in our society. While behavior is a huge issue in our after-school programs, we finally got our hands on a group of kids who wanted to learn, become better citizens and do community service. The entire group of them were amazing, and I don't throw that word around lightly. They inspired me, gave me hope, reassured me that what I was doing was worthwhile, and I know we did the same for them. About a month ago, we had this week of training called ATA, or Advanced Training Academy, which was simultaneously given an acronym of BWE, or Best Week Ever. Misnomer. I ended that week thinking "Wow. They think this is the best week ever? I'd rather have done most things than this." It was a series of stations where we were forced to "team build" (with a team that wasn't our own) or, rather, try to pop someone else's balloon that was attached to their leg, do the limbo, play pictionary, and try to keep a piece of toilet paper in the air by blowing it. Not my best week ever, to say the least. Heroes' Summit, on the other hand, was the best week ever. The best part of my birthday, besides the weather, was when all the kids sang "happy birthday" to me. That will never happen again in my life. On the same day, I enjoyed shooting baskets, which I haven't done since middle school, with my 6th grade student from JHS 13. She persuaded me to make consecutive free-throws till my arms were sore. Taking me back to my younger years, I played jump rope and had a hula hoop competition with several girls and won (still haven't lost the touch).

I have a feeling that like spring giving the city that boost of energy, my experience at heroes' summit has given me that positive fortitude that will push me to the end of my year of service and continue to do great things afterwards.