Last night I broke into my 4-H memory box- a Rubbermaid packed full of some of my favorite memories of my 4-H career. In it, you’ll find pictures I entered at county fair, stuff I collected from my trips to West Virginia’s OMC, National 4-H Congress, 4-H Day in Annapolis, and to Tanzania, every piece of mail I’ve ever received (in my counselor days) at 4-H camp and each song/cheer/skit I wrote with my tribes, every award I’ve ever gotten through 4-H, pamphlets, brochures, and programs from dinners, events, Galas, and dairy or swine shows, camp feathers, and my Camp Queen crown. And to tell you the truth, that’s only some of it. (I’m a scrapbooker. I like to keep things, if you haven’t noticed.) I took all of this stuff and other things I’ve had in my room or around the house and laid it out on the floor to put my 4-H career into a perspective for me and for you. Hopefully by looking at some of these pictures you can understand how much this program and these past 13 years have impacted me.

Why did I do this? Today is my last day as an official member of 4-H. In honor of the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of, I decided to go through and relive some of my favorite memories in my life since I was 6 years old (8 years old if you don’t count Clover years). And to my surprise (not), I ended up in tears, especially as I’m writing this.

Up until this point I have been dreading this day. I have to say goodbye to the best thing that has ever happened to me. 4-H is what has made me into the person I am today and I’ve been so upset that no longer will I be part of its present membership. I have dreaded the fact that I will be the past. But as I see all of my achievements, souvenirs, programs, etc. lay in front of me, I’m not sad anymore. I’m so grateful for having every opportunity in the 4-H program that I’ve had- from demonstrations as an incredibly timid little girl and being on the news with Ethel to show the public what “clipping” means, to traveling across the world with the program and making my best friends at camp and on trips. The little and the big moments in 4-H have made me who I am, and I mean that wholeheartedly.

To give you an idea of how much I’ve changed since my start in the program, I’ll provide you with a few examples:

Then- Scared little girl who wouldn’t talk in front of people or do anything independently

Now- Will talk to hundreds of people and get the greatest thrill of her life while doing so and is way more independent than her parents like to believe

Then- Interested in pigs more than cows, thought cows were kind of scary

Now- Crazy cow lady, cows are now kind of scared of me because I like to take too many pictures of them

Then- First award as a camper at 4-H camp read “Elizabeth Galbreath has the strange and unique ability to always be quiet. Without her, camp would not have been so silent.” (would only scream when at home)

Now- Most camp awards since the first have been about me losing my voice right away. “Silent” took on a new meaning for me as my vocal chords have been stretched about 6 too many times. (will now scream anywhere for the Golden Feather or Spirit Feather, or if it has to do with camp spirit at all)

Aside from giving me friends who will last forever (four and two-legged), awards and ribbons that will fade with time, camp songs to sing in every silent moment I have, and memories that will always be playing through my head, 4-H has blessed me with life lessons, all of which I will carry with me throughout my life. I don’t even need to name them because the list could go on until we reach 2016, but just know that 4-H gives members the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves. 4-H members become responsible global citizens ready to take on challenges and serve others with more drive than anyone else in the world.

One of the most valuable things I’ve come to realize through 4-H is how vital it is to reflect on experiences, lessons learned, etc. And that’s why I have this blog. And I’ve already shared a lot about my 4-H career through this blog, especially about the county fair this year for me (read it here: https://elizabethgalbreath.com/2014/08/06/the-harford-county-farm-fair-from-my-first-to-my-last/). But one thing I just realized upon reflecting recently on my 4-H career is my problem with a certain phrase.

I don’t like the saying “putting others before yourself” because you should always be a priority for you. And I think the two coincide- service and self-improvement. To a 4-Her, that combines hands and health, but also uses your heart and head. By helping others, you’re helping yourself. You’re becoming happier, but understanding who you are and how you fit into the world. You’re making a positive change that not only benefits others but yourself, too. Gaining new experiences is how people thrive, and serving others in new ways is a fantastic way for a person to find new interests or to simply find him or herself. I think that’s what I’ve learned most through 4-H. It’s not about choosing others or myself, it’s finding a balance between the two that really reaches all four H’s. It’s trusting that through service, I’m helping myself, because ultimately I’m making the world a better place.

That’s why I’m so thankful for 4-H. It has shown me that service is a part of who I am, but it betters the world and myself. And it hasn’t just done that for me, but it impacts millions of people every year. That’s making a real impact around the world in over 50 countries.

So, as what seems like the best part of my life comes to a close, my eyes swell with tears of happiness and sadness alike, but mostly of gratitude. Thank you to every person who has been a part of my 4-H career, whether that was at camp, in showing, or through any of the trips I went on, or supporting me along the way. You’ve impacted me, and for that I’m forever grateful. Thank you to the volunteers and 4-H staff who better the lives of youth every day. Thank you to my family who has supported me and encouraged me to dive deeper into the program, even when it was more than what you bargained for.

And thank you to 4-H for everything. I can’t imagine my life without you. See you as a volunteer (and hopefully more).

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Happy New Year, everyone.

Thanks for a fantastic 2014.