A Shift in the Seasons
Editor’s Note: As the seasons change in Washington, DC, DC Service Corps volunteer Brigid Dunn reflects on the change of seasons in her year of service as her time as a DCSC volunteer comes to a close.
As March faded into April and the temperatures shifted from freezing temperatures to a comfortable 65 degrees, the entirety of DC thawed, the trees turned green, the cherry blossoms bloomed, and everybody in DC, tourists, transplants and natives alike, flooded from their hibernation locations and flooded the National Mall, DuPont Circle, Eastern Market, and all other outdoor spaces where the warming rays of the sun could be relished.
The thaw of winter was never more evident than when the cherry blossoms were in peak bloom. Being slightly overzealous, I decided to use this particular Saturday for a long run to the Mall. However, the Mall housed everyone in DC partaking in (a) the No King’s Rally by the Capitol, (b) the Kite Flying Festival, (c) photoshoots with the Cherry Blossoms, and (d) basking in one of the first gorgeous days of the year by sunbathing by the Reflecting Pool. I was the joyful witness to all of these events and proud to be an inhabitant of such a diverse city.
Likewise, this era of seasonal change mirrors a shift in the seasons of my year of service. As May begins, I have reached the final quarter of what my time in DC will be. In response, formations have shifted to focus on discernment and “next steps.” Conversations, which once consisted of questions about liking my site placement, my community, or DC, have now turned into inquiries about when the year is over and the dreaded question: what comes next? These topics of time and transition have only been elevated as the college school years wrap up and all of the volunteers and interns who I have worked with for the past two semesters will be heading back home for the summer.
With all of this change, I am beyond grateful that my year in DC is not over yet and am even more relieved that I have this reawakening as I approach my final season in DC. I am blessed to have many more community dinners at the Casa, dance parties in the kitchen, weeknight porch parties, many more peace circles, Dance Moms episodes, Nationals games, museum visits, Cabrini service days, formation Tuesdays, community prayers, more runs to the Mall, Sunday hugs, and so much more!
Question for Reflection: What parts of your current season of life do you appreciate the most?
Brigid’s visit to the National Mall during peak cherry blossom season.
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