By Elham Sadat
At the last Raise the Roof event, I joined an incredible group of people—neighbors of all faiths and backgrounds—to paint the home of an elderly woman living with cancer. With every brushstroke, laughter, and shared sip of cold water, I felt a deep sense of purpose. It wasn’t just about painting a house; it was about serving God, uplifting our community, and showing up for one another.
During a short break, I sat in a chair to rest. Out of habit, I picked up my phone—and was immediately met with devastating news of wars, conflicts, and divisions between people of different faiths. The heaviness of it all drained the joy I had just felt.
But then I looked up. Right there in front of me was a completely different picture: people working side by side, joking, offering each other help, and sharing stories about their families, dreams, and even holiday plans. On my phone, I saw hatred and destruction. In front of me, I saw love, hope, and humanity.
Both realities are true. But in that moment, I realized I have a choice about which one I allow to shape me. And I chose gratitude—gratitude for God, for my life, for the community I’m blessed to belong to, and for the work that keeps me close to people of compassion and service.
The best way to honor this blessing is to celebrate it—by recognizing it, cherishing it, and never taking it for granted. By being close to one another and celebrating each other, we keep love and humanity alive.