Everyone talkatively sat at each of the circular tables anticipating the moment when all the young smiling faces will burst through the doors ready to choose their buddy to read to. Looking around the room you could see all the volunteers picking out which books they wanted to read and making new acquaintances, many of their expressions seemed comfortable sitting there waiting but the “newcomers” had a polite but nervous grin.

During the short drive to the UMOM homeless shelter in Phoenix I noticed multiple homeless men and women walking along the lonely sidewalks. Their worn down clothing and dirt smudged frowns made me second guess whether I would be able to handle seeing these destitute children that are in the same position as these adults. Will the kids resemble the same appearance? Will the shelter be cramped? Will the place be grungy? I had countless questions going through my mind.

Once arriving and signing in at the shelter my image of the situation started to change. It looked no different than an apartment complex down the road from where I live, immaculate, cozy, and welcoming. After settling at a seat next to another high school volunteer it was announced that they were ready to send in the kids. Immediately I saw laughing faces running in groups to beat each other to all of the best books. Two sisters the ages of three and nine shuffled towards me with timid stares and reached for a princess book. They were both dressed in justly clothes colored pink and they matched from head to toe. “Will you read me these pretty books?” politely asked the three year old sister and handed me several picture books. “After those will you read these books to me?” Her sister whispered with chapter books in her lap. I suddenly knew that this was going to be a challenge, reading to two different children with a major age difference. We went from reading bunny books with finger puppets to long worded stories about the old man and his dog down the street. These two sisters were some of the most respectful kids I've ever been introduced to. They asked questions, offered to read to me, and even took turns choosing what books to read next. As we were all laughing and searching for more books to read the nine year old began to stop talking and just sit there quiet, it was almost time for them to head back into the rooming place. It didn't have too much of an impact on me until i heard the three year old say “I wish we were home.” It then dawned on me that these children with clean faces and princess tee-shirts, and dinosaurs shoes had no home of their own. No room to decorate, toy boxes, or place to sleep. All these children paid no attention to what they didn't have. And while I have two houses, my fathers and my mother’s I sit here and complain about not being able to go to the movies on the weekend? I was suddenly disappointed in myself and realized that I have a lot in my life to appreciate. It never came to mind that there are so many people out there in the world and even in my own city that have absolutely nothing to call their own. The clothes on their back and their family beside them is what's most important to them.

Once this experience came to an end I knew that I had realized something major about myself and the things I take for granted. So next time I am not able to go to the movies I will remember the proud faces I was able to meet and start appreciating the better things in life.