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Went to see Puss in Boots 3D with Caitlin tonight. It's fun hanging out with her. There's such an ease between us. She's wonderful ccompany and we laugh so much. If I weren't her mom, I'd want to know her and hang out with her anyway. In fact, if I didn't still have all the mom worries, she would be damn near my best friend.
The movie is great. We both agree that even the cartoon cat incarnation of Antonio Banderas is hot. We would both totally do some serious lovin on Poos... Een Boots.
Came home and ate the gumbo my son made. Best I have ever tasted. I have some pretty damn cool kids!
Their mom had something to do with their coolness, I'm sure. ;-)
20:32 Oct 28 2011 Times Read: 896
So sleepy. Falling asleep at my desk. Stabb is in the office, though, and that's always so nice. He left work early so that he and another volunteer can do a home visit.
The volunteer is a senior and has mainly retired from what used to be very active volunteering. But when he heard Stabb was doing the home visit, he spiffed up and came on in. We call them the Dream Team.
It's a lucky client to have them visit...two gentlemen who genuinely care. They look so sweet together as they go off like modern knights.
The world is crying out for men to be men...leaders who are not too busy to lend a hand. Fathers who are present and not self-absorbed. Friends who are bold enough to counsel when choices are poor and to encourage when the going gets tough.
There is a role for everyone...male and female, but, oh...you strong, bold men of heart! You are so rare, beautiful, and capable of changing the world. You make my chest ache.
I made an entry on October 14 and a number of you responded with promises of prayer and good thoughts for the young man. I think the story deserves a follow-up.
He's come in several times to check in with us and talk about his progress. We've continued to make sure he has food and a place to stay.
Today he came in and he looks great! No shaking, and he was excited to tell me that he thinks he has a job at a local restaurant. they just need him to have black pants and a pair of no-slip shoes. We got that covered! He's willing to ride his bike to work and we're willing to help him until he gets a paycheck and can start putting some deposits down.
My goal is to try to walk this man into an apartment of his own. Tonight he's going to dinner with the volunteer who went on that initial ride to get him an i.d. and a tent. He's looking forward to that and I know he can't wait to share his excitement. (I have a feeling that the volunteer went to that restaurant and vouched for the man with a friend he has who works there.)
This is how fun my job can be. I LOVE helping people who actually want to be helped! It's been a joy watching him respond to the most basic of help as though it were a mountain that had been moved for him. That is gratitude at work and it is the mightiest of emotions...right beside selfless love.
"Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they won't unravel."
Thank you for your prayers and your good thoughts for him. I know that not everyone believes in prayer, but I do with all my heart.
I didn't intend to take this picture. I never use my camera as a phone so it never occurs to me to use my phone as a camera. I had accidentally tapped the camera icon and as I held it up and panned around, I got this little candid shot. If I had framed it intentionally, it would have been lower, but I kind of like the oddness of the image.
I love that it caught Stabb engrossed in something while resting on the couch, but he's not the focus. He is one of many warm components in this place I have called home for so many years. It seems almost a serene and prayerful moment captured by accident, perhaps reminding me again of a soul's capacity for gratitude.
I just noticed the doorknob. When we finish putting away our groceries, we hang the empty bags on the knob so that I can remember to take them to the Center the next day for the food bank. Now I can't stop seeing them.
I paid over 20 years for love, whining about the love I did not have, making promises to myself. Seeking the love from another, and found the greatest love inside me. Surprise!
20:12 Oct 14 2011 Times Read: 1,049
He was sleeping in the open. Not in a car or under a bridge...not even in a sleeping bag. Just on the grass beside a bike trail. He's young. He has screwed up. His voice chokes up when he talks to you and his hands shake.
He said, "A lady came by and brought me a blanket. That was very comforting."
His breath smells of alcohol. It's hard to ask the next question. It always is. We talk about addictions and the need to be honest so that real help can come. I explain that I can smell the alcohol. I brace myself because touching that shame can trigger all kinds of emotional responses, especially angry denial and threats.
He admits he drank. He assures me it is not a problem. I worry that it probably is.
I tag a male volunteer and we drive our fella to the DMV where we get him an I.D. card so he can apply for work. We get him food. We buy him a tent. We give him a sleeping bag and a flashlight. We cover nights at a state park so he can sleep and have a shower. We give him fresh clothing. We drive him to his campsite.
I encouraged him to come in today. That was Wednesday. I know we only covered Wed and Thurs so he'd come in and talk to us again and we can see how he's doing. No word by noon from him.
In comes my volunteer with the gentleman in tow. He went to check on him and he'd been on a bicycle on his way in to see us. He took him to lunch and brought him here. He's got bunches of applications out for a job and he looked rested and better. I smelled no alcohol. We're getting him a cheap phone with a few minutes so he can leave a number for an employer to call.
We cover his site fees until Monday when he'll come see me again. I watch as they drive off.
We offer thanks that we have a volunteer who cared enough to go seek him out and sit with him over lunch, listening and talking with him.
There is no doubt about it. I am thankful for what you shared with VR today because it only proves to show that there are still kind hearted and caring people left in this world willing to extend a helping hand to those in need and do not know where to turn to.
He was lucky to have found you. Or rather, lucky to have been found by you and your volunteers.
I will keep him in both my thoughts and prayers. ♥
COMMENTS
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Requiem
16:33 Oct 29 2011
Their mom had something to do with their coolness, I'm sure. ;-)