There are a few moments when you can truly affect the life of someone else. However, with all the cares and concerns of this world, we can often be caught up in the moment and forget what truly is important.  At least, this was the case for me. The timing could not have been worse.  It was the week before finals, and all I could think about was how much I had to do. However, as soon as my teammates and I walked into the Feed My Starving Children building, reality soon set in. 

Before we even began to make the packages of food, we were shown pictures of an 8-year-old boy named Omar whose ribs you could count and whose eye sockets were hollow.  Here was a young boy who did not care if he had five papers to write, or a hard exam to study for.  His concern was getting enough to eat to live another day.  A sense of guilt soon sank in.  I could wake up and not have to worry about where my food was coming from.  I knew there would always be plenty, to the point where it could even be too much.  My pity problems did not seem so bad after all.

So what could we do? We were a group of 16 softball players and two coaches. How could we help Omar and others like him, even though they were worlds away? Surprisingly, only a few hours out of our day could mean the world of difference to so many.

When the people at Feed My Starving Children were demonstrating how to correctly portion the bag filled with rice, protein and nutrients, I thought that would be a good size meal for a small child.  The bag barely weighed the same as a small soup can. But I was completely shocked as the demonstrator said that this was enough to feed six people. Six! As an athlete, that food packaged seemed like only enough for an after-workout meal, surely not enough for six people to live a day off of. It was truly a time to step back and reflect on how blessed we truly are.

Our team then broke off into small groups, ready to assemble packages. Our competitive nature as athletes soon set in as we strived to pack as many meals as possible, trying to outpace the other groups. I never knew how much fun it was to help make a difference in someone else's life.  It did not take rocket science or a special talent. All it took was us using our able-bodied hands and hearts to put the meals together.

After an hour of packing boxes filled with 36 packages each, the final total said that we packed enough meals to feed 32 people for an entire year. Now, 32 more people would not have to worry about where their next meal would come from.

When I returned to River Falls, I said an extra special thank you for the blessings and opportunities we have. The next time I step onto the field, I am going to remember Omar and just how fortunate we truly are.  I will take that moment to reflect and to live every day as a day of thanks.

Sure, my political science textbook and finals can drive me crazy, but that pales in comparison to the cares and troubles that are an everyday reality for some.

Editor's Note: Ashley Goettl (North Mankato, MN, West) gives this first-hand account of the team's visit to the Feed My Starving Children organization on Dec. 13. Goettl is a junior softball player at UW-River Falls. She is majoring in journalism, political science and communication studies with an emphasis in digital film and television. Goettl has been named to the All-WIAC softball team in 2010 and 2011 and was a member of last year's team that won the WIAC regular season and playoff championships.

Editor's Note: A special thanks to Haley Selkirk (Northfield, MN, Northfield) for supplying all of the photos shown with the story. Selkirk is a junior softball player at UW-River Falls majoring in broad field social studies. She was a member of last year's team that won the WIAC regular season and playoff championships.