“You are like salt for the whole human race.” This passage from Matthew 5: 13 holds an extremely powerful message and is significant in my life, and the lives of others.

One person who has been an exceptional role model and inspiration for me is my advisor from boarding school. My advisor, Mrs. Billit, was not only my advisor, but my best friend and my angel. Genuineness shines through her eyes and her warmth and kindness made others want to be around her. She never failed to make me happy and her selflessness impacted me to try and touch the lives of others like she had touched the life of not only me, but the other students and teachers at Linden Hall. Through the difficult times and the joyous times, Mrs. Billit was there. In this case, she was the salt of my earth, of my families’ earth, and of the earth of Linden Hall. She was a source of flavor and her humble actions bettered others.

            In October of this year, on a rainy afternoon, I received an e-mail from a friend back at school. To say the least, it was an e-mail that changed my life…forever. Before I could even finish reading it, tears flooded my eyes and a wave of deep sadness came over me. I felt as though my heart shattered into a million pieces. How could something like this happen? Why? What? Who? When? Dropping everything I was doing in that very moment, I fleeted to the Bridgeport train station to catch the soonest train in destination for Lititz, Pennsylvania. You see, my advisor from Linden Hall’s husband never woke up on this dreary morning. He just never woke up. Without warning or cause this 33 year old man passed away, leaving behind his 2 month old triplets and his beloved wife.

While I was on the train I made several phone calls to many of my graduated friends from Linden Hall. Every single one of them was already on their way to Pennsylvania, regardless the distance or what had being going on in each of their lives at the time. Although my sadness was unbearable and the tears streaming down my face were still uncontrollable, knowing my fellow Linden Hall family was soon going to be together touched my heart and consoled me, filling me with an indescribable comfort. It was the tremendous loyalty and care my Linden Hall family and I shared for Mrs. Billit and her triplets that gave me this remarkable inner comfort. Surrounded by support and love, my Linden Hall family was the salt of my earth. They were there for me and consoled me with the purest of intentions and utter care.

The train ride to Pennsylvania seemed longer than ever before and the view was foreign and outlandish in my foggy eyes. Although I have seen it all before, I could not come to terms with my own being and the what-have-should-have-been familiar land passing me by. Thinking about Mrs. Billit and her precious triplets and the sorrow that without a shadow of a doubt lies within them, within me, and within several other individuals was taking over my mind, body, and soul. The thought of Mrs. Billit feeling anguish and sorrow for even a moment made me queasy and distressed. I kept telling myself to “keep my cool.” However thoughts were racing through my mind as to what I should say, how I should react, and whether or not I could actually “keep my cool.” It was then when I looked out the window of the fast train and saw a wooden cross, bold and sturdy, planted in front of a church. All of a sudden I snapped back into reality and my foggy eyes started to see clearly; furthermore, the previously seen as foreign and outlandish land became native to me once again. Now, the only question running through my mind was: What would Jesus do? This question seemed to answer all of my problems. I said my prayers and felt prepared to face the challenges ahead of me. This cross and this church was the salt of my earth. They brought God’s presence into my life and into the situation I was dealing with.

The funeral was packed. There was not an open seat in the whole entire church. The first few rows were occupied by the entire student body of Linden Hall. Rows after that consisted of family, friends, and loved ones. Everyone was there to support Mrs. Billit and her family in mourning. Henceforth the service, a few friends and I went over to Mrs. Billit’s house to see her and help take care of the triplets. My friends and I weren’t sure what we could do to possibly help console Mrs. Billit; all we knew was that we would try our best to comfort her in the same way she comforted and supported each of us. The only words I could think to say to her were “I love you.” Other than that, time was spent hugging her and holding a baby or two. The most important part of this is that my Linden Hall friends and I showed up. We showed up in Mrs. Billit’s life to offer love and service to her in this time of disconsolateness. This brings to presence the importance of not only receiving the gift of “the salt of the earth” but giving and passing this precious gift onto others. Each of us knew that we needed to be there with Mrs. Billit and bring comfort in any way we could. We were the salt of Mrs. Billit’s earth.

Matthew 5:15-16 states “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lamp stand, where it give light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” The phrase “salt of the earth” illustrates the importance of small actions and that each of us can, in fact, “salt the earth.”