***Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from "Celebrate Me Home" by Kenny Loggins.
*Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011: So today I am thankful for two things, one being my first meeting with my potential spiritual adviser. She was very quiet and reserved and I'm pretty sure she didn't get my sense of humor so it's going to be an interesting year with her but she helped me talk about God and where I see Him in my life (a conversation I haven't had in a while) so that was a blessing I am grateful for. Then, one of the Syracuse JVs couldn't get enough of DC from his visit last weekend and was back this weekend for a trip with his agency. I met up with him in the afternoon, we had lunch and then went to the ever uplifting Holocaust museum. It was nice to spend a day being a tourist and getting to know a friend better at the same time. So I am grateful for two very different but good interactions with two very different personalities.
*Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011: So today Brittney and I got up early (like 8am) and went to the 10 o'clock Mass at St. Augustine's. It was a really good Mass and more importantly, a really good time spent with Brittney, just talking about everything. I realized in those three hours we spent together that I haven't gotten to spend one-on-one time with her in a while so I'm grateful for that time we got to spend together today.
*Monday, Nov. 21, 2011: Tonight we did our community Thanksgiving. We cooked mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, biscuits, stuffing, turkey deli meat (lovin' the simple living), wine and pumpkin pie. It was yummy for sure! Then we all went around the table and talked about what we were thankful for in the past year and we each shared and reflected on how much has changed in a year in our lives. It was a really good night of good food and good company. The thing I think I am most thankful for this year is my new perspective and definition of the word "family". I have loving families in Meridian, ID; Bellingham, WA; Sparta, NJ; Bridgeport, CT and Washington DC. This past year has given me, more than ever, a new grasp on the idea of "family" and as difficult as it is to have my family continue to grow, it's also comforting to know that love is coming in from all over the U.S.
*Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011: OK the development guy at work has been such a blessing during this Thanksgiving holiday meal delivery thing for Thanksgiving Day. He and I have basically planned the entire thing. He has been such a help with technology and just filling in where ever I needed him to be. Today was my last day at work before going up north for Thanksgiving and it was so chaotic, but productive. I don't think it would've been half as productive of a day as it was if it wasn't for him. So I am thankful for him today. AND my brother visits tonight so I am super duper excited to spend 12 hours with him!!!
*Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011: So Colleen's brother gave us a ride to Connecticut today and braved the dreaded holiday traffic. It wasn't too bad but I am thankful for his willingness to drive our behinds the 5 and 1/2 hours up to CT for the holiday. It was a fun ride, full of silliness and music and laughter. What could've been a stressful drive turned out to be quite fun so I am thankful for that today.
*Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011: It's THANKSGIVING DAY!!! The best little moment I want to report among the incredible loveliness of just being in the BPT again is little 3-year-old, Kaylah. I spent the Thanksgiving holiday with the woman who was my second mom last year, Karitza. She has always been an incredible sense of strength for me and I love her and her family so much. So her daughter, Kaylah is a sassy love bug who talks and talks and talks. I LOVE HER. This morning I was awoken at 8am by the little pitter patter of feet and her climbing into bed with me. She whispered, "good morning, sister. Are you sleeping?" I just smiled and grunted and she said, "you sleeping, sister?" I said, "no, love, I am awake. What's up?" She said, "no, you still sleeping. I am making you coffee." She proceeded to crawl out of bed and run over to her mini kitchen set and she began making clacking noises and moments later she returned with a plastic mini mug and said, "drink your coffee." I drank the invisible liquid and she climbed back into bed with me. That was my Thanksgiving morning...how lucky am I? It only got better and better as we went around to Karitza's family's houses, eating and laughing all day. I even got to be reunited with some of my Shehan Center kids. I am beyond grateful for today and the many blessings God has bestowed onto me.
*Friday, Nov. 25, 2011: So today was a lazy day. Karitza and I watched 5 hours worth of "American Horror Story" (so good and addicting, by the way) in our PJs. It was a lot of fun just being lazy. Then, around 8pm, I headed over to my friend's place where a party later unfolded. I got to see a few of my old Shehan Center co-workers and that was wonderful. Connie, Bianchi, Steve, Sarah, Mrowka, Brandon and DJ were all there and it was a lot of fun to see them and laugh with them again. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I was with them again. I am grateful for all of them today because they are such an incredible group of people.
*Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011: So tonight I went to my old house, the JVC Bridgeport house, and hung out with the JVC BPT gals. They were so hospitable and fun to chat with. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and then my old local support people came over and it was glorious to reunite with them again. THEN, if things couldn't get better, one of my best buds from last year, Mr. T, swung by and visited. Hugging him was so emotional...I didn't want to let go of "Big Belly, Relly". I missed him so much. His jokes, his laugh, his silliness and just the banter we had back and forth with one another. I missed that. It was fun to have all the people I missed and my new friends under one roof, just hanging out. I am grateful for that time I got to spend with all of them.
*Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011: So today was hard...really hard. My trip to the BPT is bitter-sweet because it was incredible and now I have to go back to DC. It's hard leaving a place that is home, for a place that isn't. I was a Debbie Downer the entire way home today because my heart was hurting. It's like all the progress I had made in moving on and looking at DC as my new home was lost in my visit to the BPT. All my homesickness for the BPT has unearthed itself once again and now I get to deal with that emotion for the next week! YAY! But on the positive side of things, I am grateful for my time in Bridgeport. I got to see a lot of wonderful human beings, who I love very much and I am grateful for my time with them. Karitza dropped me off today and said, "Katie, I am always thinking of you, you will always have a home here and I love you." Those parting words made me break down but also gave me strength to keep on chuggin' along. So I am very grateful for my BPT trip for Thanksgiving, as hard as it is to leave them.
*Monday, Nov. 28, 2011: I am back at Emmaus today and waiting for me was a voicemail. I have begun to dread the red light that pops up on my phone when I have a voicemail. So I put off listening to it until around 10am. When I listened to it, it was left for me at 6:45pm on Thanksgiving Day and it was a senior calling me specifically to wish me a happy Thanksgiving. That was it, he just called to say he was thankful for all my work at Emmaus and wanted to wish me a wonderful holiday. What a sweetheart. I am thankful for him today and his kindness.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
This one's for you and me, living out our dreams. We're all right where we should be.
***Song lyrics (in blog title) from "Lighters" by Bruno Mars feat. Eminem
*Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011: I am sick...it's not a fun cold either...although not many are but the good in today was getting time to take care of myself. I woke up at 7am and felt like poop, so I took a shower with the hopes that I'd feel better afterward...no such luck. So I called into work and told them that I was coming in late so I could rest up. I made it into work at 11am and they told me to go home but I didn't because my JVC supervisor was visiting that day so I had to stay...plus I had TONS of -ish to get done. So I met with my JVC guy, my Executive Director and gave my JVC dude a tour. At around 2pm he left and at 3pm my co-workers forced me to go home. I slept from 3:30pm until 7:30pm and could've slept longer. My community mate came in and started taking care of me with drugs, water and asking how I was feeling. When I made my way downstairs for community dinner, she served me food and kept taking care of me...I was totally out of it. BUT the highlight of the night besides having community members who cared for me; was the meeting we had with our JVC supervisor. He detailed things we need to work on, opened the floor for comments and differing perspectives and just created a positive space for us to communicate and we talked about a lot of really great things and I feel so good about my community now. It's really good. So although I feel like poop; my heart feels full and healthy (quite the opposite of poop, actually). I am thankful for my JVC supervisor's visit with us this week.
*Friday, Nov. 18, 2011: Today I am grateful the project my agency has plopped in my lap and a certain social worker who has given me perspective. I got off the phone with a social worker today and she and I have been calling each other back and forth for a while and she ended this most recent conversation with, "aren't you lucky? You get to play Santa this year!" That perspective made me proud, happy and just excited. I get to play Santa and offer something which may seem minute and small to me, to these homebound seniors who really have nothing else during these holidays it means the world to them. I get to play Santa this holiday season, and that's a perspective I never thought of...I had been looking at the names and making my list (and checking it twice) purely to reach our goal number of seniors, not really taking stalk in the fact that me playing Santa to them will help make the holidays better and less lonely for them. I am grateful for that social worker today.
*Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011: I am sick...it's not a fun cold either...although not many are but the good in today was getting time to take care of myself. I woke up at 7am and felt like poop, so I took a shower with the hopes that I'd feel better afterward...no such luck. So I called into work and told them that I was coming in late so I could rest up. I made it into work at 11am and they told me to go home but I didn't because my JVC supervisor was visiting that day so I had to stay...plus I had TONS of -ish to get done. So I met with my JVC guy, my Executive Director and gave my JVC dude a tour. At around 2pm he left and at 3pm my co-workers forced me to go home. I slept from 3:30pm until 7:30pm and could've slept longer. My community mate came in and started taking care of me with drugs, water and asking how I was feeling. When I made my way downstairs for community dinner, she served me food and kept taking care of me...I was totally out of it. BUT the highlight of the night besides having community members who cared for me; was the meeting we had with our JVC supervisor. He detailed things we need to work on, opened the floor for comments and differing perspectives and just created a positive space for us to communicate and we talked about a lot of really great things and I feel so good about my community now. It's really good. So although I feel like poop; my heart feels full and healthy (quite the opposite of poop, actually). I am thankful for my JVC supervisor's visit with us this week.
*Friday, Nov. 18, 2011: Today I am grateful the project my agency has plopped in my lap and a certain social worker who has given me perspective. I got off the phone with a social worker today and she and I have been calling each other back and forth for a while and she ended this most recent conversation with, "aren't you lucky? You get to play Santa this year!" That perspective made me proud, happy and just excited. I get to play Santa and offer something which may seem minute and small to me, to these homebound seniors who really have nothing else during these holidays it means the world to them. I get to play Santa this holiday season, and that's a perspective I never thought of...I had been looking at the names and making my list (and checking it twice) purely to reach our goal number of seniors, not really taking stalk in the fact that me playing Santa to them will help make the holidays better and less lonely for them. I am grateful for that social worker today.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
To Life, To Life, L'chaim
*Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011: I hate posting so closely between entries, but today, I was shaken to my core. Today I am so incredibly grateful for life. At 2pm, I walked upstairs to the computer lab to kick out the remaining seniors using our computers and close the lab for the day. For the past few days I've been closing the lab at 2pm and then defragging and installing/updating new programs for our computers. So at around 2:30pm I head back downstairs, having "fixed" one computer in our lab and as I rounded the last set of stairs I was met by a woman frantic and balling her eyes out. She was mumbling about a gunman and money and robbery. I grabbed her and went into the lofted part of our offices and we locked all the doors and called our receptionist called the police.
*Our building has an interesting layout. The basement houses a few Emmaus offices and our "Feast for All" food pantry; as well as a privately owned, small copying and printing business. This woman worked in the copying/printing business. My office is on the floor just above hers and the stairwell I found her in is what links our two agencies.
So anyway, we waited for the police to arrive and for about an hour and a half we sat. I said very little; I guess I didn't really know what OK to say. I just kept saying to her, "at least you're OK." She was rightfully, hysterical. She called her husband. The police showed up and then I left them to talk because I didn't want her to feel crowded or smothered. I got her some water and just sat at my computer as I listened to her recount what happened. So many officers showed up and detectives but I still had this pit in my stomach; like no matter where or what or who showed up, I still didn't feel safe. This woman had been held at gunpoint...gun to her face...and her little business was robbed. She was terrified and all I wanted to do was hold her and cry.
Needless to say, the only thing my mind can concentrate on now is this robbery and the fear in this woman's eyes. She was shaking. I can't concentrate on work so I am blogging. I am writing about it because working just seems silly right now. Today, I am thankful for life and God's protection and safety.
*Our building has an interesting layout. The basement houses a few Emmaus offices and our "Feast for All" food pantry; as well as a privately owned, small copying and printing business. This woman worked in the copying/printing business. My office is on the floor just above hers and the stairwell I found her in is what links our two agencies.
So anyway, we waited for the police to arrive and for about an hour and a half we sat. I said very little; I guess I didn't really know what OK to say. I just kept saying to her, "at least you're OK." She was rightfully, hysterical. She called her husband. The police showed up and then I left them to talk because I didn't want her to feel crowded or smothered. I got her some water and just sat at my computer as I listened to her recount what happened. So many officers showed up and detectives but I still had this pit in my stomach; like no matter where or what or who showed up, I still didn't feel safe. This woman had been held at gunpoint...gun to her face...and her little business was robbed. She was terrified and all I wanted to do was hold her and cry.
Needless to say, the only thing my mind can concentrate on now is this robbery and the fear in this woman's eyes. She was shaking. I can't concentrate on work so I am blogging. I am writing about it because working just seems silly right now. Today, I am thankful for life and God's protection and safety.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
So many rivers but they all reach the sea.
Song lyrics (in blog title) taken from "Unity" by Trevor Hall.
*Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011: Today I am thankful for the ISN Teach-In. So the Ignatian Spirituality Network puts on an annual conference in DC where Catholic high schoolers, youth groups, colleges and JVs come to learn more about social justice and faith. This was my first one this year. I had heard many negative things about it leading up to the event so I was a little apprehensive about going to the conference, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was such an invigorating and recharging weekend of social justice issues, highly charged individuals who are working for justice and meeting other JVs/FJVs too! It was the right dosage of inspiration to propel me forward in the coming weeks.
*Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011: Today I am thankful for laughter, Sunday night football and good company. During our dinner break during the Teach-In, a few of us decided to watch the Giants/49-ers game (and I watched the Seahawks kick butt) at a bar. We sat down, had a drink and just enjoyed each other's company. I have forgotten how much I miss testosterone in my life. Men just crack me up and I enjoy hanging out with them so much; talking football or whatever. It was so much fun. We got angry about the Giants sucking and laughed about stupid jokes and had an intense conversation about gender as well...it ran the gambit and for two hours, we just enjoyed each other's company. So today I am grateful for Sunday night football.
*Monday, Nov. 14, 2011: Today we had our JVC Day of Reflection Retreat and it was good. Although I was exhausted and completely not interested in talking about my feelings while I was so incredibly vulnerable because of my exhaustion, it turned out to be just what I needed. Besides spending an entire day with my own community, I got to spend quality time with the Le Droit community as well. It reminded me that I really want to hang out with them more. I really want to take the time to invest in them because as one of them said it best at the end of the retreat yesterday, "we are not just Le Droit or Petworth, we are also a part of one bigger, DC JVC community." I am thankful for honesty, openness, the space to be both honest and open and just spending time with quality people. On this retreat, our Program Coordinator played the song "Unity" by Trevor Hall for us to listen to and reflect on. So if you don't know the song, you should look it up...also, "Lemon Tree" is really good by him too.
*Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011: So it's only 1pm so I shouldn't be beating myself up about the fact that I am struggling to come up with something I am grateful for today but I am. I am having a hard time thinking of something I am grateful for...BUT one of my seniors came up to me this morning, as soon as she walked in and said, "Oh! I missed you, Katie. Where were you?" I told her and she said, "well, why didn't you take me with you?" It was a short interaction and nothing too crazy was discussed but her noticing I was gone and her taking time to walk up the stairs to inform me of her happiness that I was back made me smile. It's always nice to know someone cares about you, even if it only was a five-minute conversation.
*Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011: Today I am thankful for the ISN Teach-In. So the Ignatian Spirituality Network puts on an annual conference in DC where Catholic high schoolers, youth groups, colleges and JVs come to learn more about social justice and faith. This was my first one this year. I had heard many negative things about it leading up to the event so I was a little apprehensive about going to the conference, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was such an invigorating and recharging weekend of social justice issues, highly charged individuals who are working for justice and meeting other JVs/FJVs too! It was the right dosage of inspiration to propel me forward in the coming weeks.
*Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011: Today I am thankful for laughter, Sunday night football and good company. During our dinner break during the Teach-In, a few of us decided to watch the Giants/49-ers game (and I watched the Seahawks kick butt) at a bar. We sat down, had a drink and just enjoyed each other's company. I have forgotten how much I miss testosterone in my life. Men just crack me up and I enjoy hanging out with them so much; talking football or whatever. It was so much fun. We got angry about the Giants sucking and laughed about stupid jokes and had an intense conversation about gender as well...it ran the gambit and for two hours, we just enjoyed each other's company. So today I am grateful for Sunday night football.
*Monday, Nov. 14, 2011: Today we had our JVC Day of Reflection Retreat and it was good. Although I was exhausted and completely not interested in talking about my feelings while I was so incredibly vulnerable because of my exhaustion, it turned out to be just what I needed. Besides spending an entire day with my own community, I got to spend quality time with the Le Droit community as well. It reminded me that I really want to hang out with them more. I really want to take the time to invest in them because as one of them said it best at the end of the retreat yesterday, "we are not just Le Droit or Petworth, we are also a part of one bigger, DC JVC community." I am thankful for honesty, openness, the space to be both honest and open and just spending time with quality people. On this retreat, our Program Coordinator played the song "Unity" by Trevor Hall for us to listen to and reflect on. So if you don't know the song, you should look it up...also, "Lemon Tree" is really good by him too.
*Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011: So it's only 1pm so I shouldn't be beating myself up about the fact that I am struggling to come up with something I am grateful for today but I am. I am having a hard time thinking of something I am grateful for...BUT one of my seniors came up to me this morning, as soon as she walked in and said, "Oh! I missed you, Katie. Where were you?" I told her and she said, "well, why didn't you take me with you?" It was a short interaction and nothing too crazy was discussed but her noticing I was gone and her taking time to walk up the stairs to inform me of her happiness that I was back made me smile. It's always nice to know someone cares about you, even if it only was a five-minute conversation.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
There is a life line come to the rescue, Just like a hand that's waiting for you. And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
Song lyrics (in blog title) taken from "There is a Way" by NewWorldSon.
Side-note: Has anyone ever noticed how attractive Travie McCoy is? I was watching some music videos after work yesterday and decided to watch "Stereo Hearts" video...it's good, by the way...BUT I couldn't help but notice how attractive Travie McCoy is...he's fine! Goggle the music video if you don't believe me. But objectifications put aside, his music is great too. SO onto what I am grateful for this week:
*Wednesday, Nov. 9th, 2011: Today I am thankful for the task I have been bestowed: calling seniors within Ward 2 to see if they would be interested in receiving a FREE Thanksgiving meal and Christmas gift this year. I have my script in hand, ready to call the 150 phone numbers I have on my list and one by one, senior after senior, breaks my heart. Each one, with a gracious heart and a thankful soul. Each one so incredibly grateful for the small thing Emmaus was providing for them. Then I called, *Ms. Harriet. She answered the phone and I could hear the fragility in her voice. She said, "hello, baby girl, how are you?" I responded appropriately and went into my script. At the end of the entire thing, after she told me what she wanted for Christmas, her voice began to break up. What once was fragile was now fighting back tears. She said, "I just want you to know that if there's anything I can do for you, you just let me know. I mean, my legs don't work anymore, but my prayers still do." My heart melted and then there were two women fighting to hold back tears on the phone. I have been waiting since August 5th to feel broken again. I have been waiting since August 5th to feel like I'm making a difference and today I did. Today Ms. Harriet and I shared something that I hope I never forget.
*Thursday, Nov. 10th, 2011: Today I am thankful for God. I truly having been feeling His presence lately. I have no idea where this sudden spark of positivity and optimism came from so I have to toss it up to the Big Guy for credit. I look forward to going to work now. I look forward to speaking with my seniors and they look forward to seeing me too. I am realizing that I do have gifts and talents to bring to this agency and my year is not a waste and I can only thank God for that gift. Today we played Bingo and had a great time. Then, one of the seniors made banana pudding for my birthday and it was TO DIE FOR. It was so good. She and I chuckled about how I wanted to steal the recipe from her and she said she was taking it to the grave with her. Such a sweet lady. God has graced my life and has stepped in, in a really big way lately, and I am so thankful for that.
*Friday, Nov. 11th, 2011: MY BIRTH-DAY!!! This is an easy one today, I am grateful for my parents. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here. I have now lived for 24 years; which I have a harder time believing that my parents had me 24 years ago rather than believing that I've had 24 years of life already. But anywho, I digress. I am grateful for my parents in all the little and big ways that they work themselves into my life. From calming me down or "talking me out of a tree", as my dad likes to say, to offering up advice, love and compassion, to just joking around with me or sending me a note in the mail to tell me they are thinking of me. They have shown me what love looks like, feels like, sounds like and what the essence of love truly is. I am equal parts them. My roommate last year said, "you look just like your dad and have the mannerisms of your mom." I feel like every "good" thing about me is directly taken from who they are and what they taught me in these 24 years of life. I am thankful for them and am so incredibly blessed for having them in my life and grateful to them for creating it as well.
***Names ave been changed for obvious reasons.
Side-note: Has anyone ever noticed how attractive Travie McCoy is? I was watching some music videos after work yesterday and decided to watch "Stereo Hearts" video...it's good, by the way...BUT I couldn't help but notice how attractive Travie McCoy is...he's fine! Goggle the music video if you don't believe me. But objectifications put aside, his music is great too. SO onto what I am grateful for this week:
*Wednesday, Nov. 9th, 2011: Today I am thankful for the task I have been bestowed: calling seniors within Ward 2 to see if they would be interested in receiving a FREE Thanksgiving meal and Christmas gift this year. I have my script in hand, ready to call the 150 phone numbers I have on my list and one by one, senior after senior, breaks my heart. Each one, with a gracious heart and a thankful soul. Each one so incredibly grateful for the small thing Emmaus was providing for them. Then I called, *Ms. Harriet. She answered the phone and I could hear the fragility in her voice. She said, "hello, baby girl, how are you?" I responded appropriately and went into my script. At the end of the entire thing, after she told me what she wanted for Christmas, her voice began to break up. What once was fragile was now fighting back tears. She said, "I just want you to know that if there's anything I can do for you, you just let me know. I mean, my legs don't work anymore, but my prayers still do." My heart melted and then there were two women fighting to hold back tears on the phone. I have been waiting since August 5th to feel broken again. I have been waiting since August 5th to feel like I'm making a difference and today I did. Today Ms. Harriet and I shared something that I hope I never forget.
*Thursday, Nov. 10th, 2011: Today I am thankful for God. I truly having been feeling His presence lately. I have no idea where this sudden spark of positivity and optimism came from so I have to toss it up to the Big Guy for credit. I look forward to going to work now. I look forward to speaking with my seniors and they look forward to seeing me too. I am realizing that I do have gifts and talents to bring to this agency and my year is not a waste and I can only thank God for that gift. Today we played Bingo and had a great time. Then, one of the seniors made banana pudding for my birthday and it was TO DIE FOR. It was so good. She and I chuckled about how I wanted to steal the recipe from her and she said she was taking it to the grave with her. Such a sweet lady. God has graced my life and has stepped in, in a really big way lately, and I am so thankful for that.
*Friday, Nov. 11th, 2011: MY BIRTH-DAY!!! This is an easy one today, I am grateful for my parents. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here. I have now lived for 24 years; which I have a harder time believing that my parents had me 24 years ago rather than believing that I've had 24 years of life already. But anywho, I digress. I am grateful for my parents in all the little and big ways that they work themselves into my life. From calming me down or "talking me out of a tree", as my dad likes to say, to offering up advice, love and compassion, to just joking around with me or sending me a note in the mail to tell me they are thinking of me. They have shown me what love looks like, feels like, sounds like and what the essence of love truly is. I am equal parts them. My roommate last year said, "you look just like your dad and have the mannerisms of your mom." I feel like every "good" thing about me is directly taken from who they are and what they taught me in these 24 years of life. I am thankful for them and am so incredibly blessed for having them in my life and grateful to them for creating it as well.
***Names ave been changed for obvious reasons.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
So we made our way by finding what was real. Now the days are so long that summer's moving on.
Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from Daughtry's "September" (Alie is going to kill me for choosing a Daughtry song).
*Monday, Nov. 7th, 2011: This may seem silly, but today I am thankful for my footie pajamas. When I need to feel warm and cuddly or need to feel silly or just childish, they are there. They were a gift from a housemate of mine last year and have served me well ever since. Last night I was cold, tired and ready to just vedge out and low and behold, I open my bottom drawer to my dresser and there they were, just begging to be worn. I put them on and immediately felt warm and empowered...they brightened my mood immediately and I felt ready to make dinner, watch Jeopardy and then watch The Sing Off!!! So thank you, sock monkey footie pajamas for just being you...
*Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2011: I am grateful for Kae. While attempting to tackle my list of homebound seniors for the Thanksgiving meal delivery program and the Christmas giving tree program, I called Kae. Her real name is something else, but when I introduced myself as Katie she said, "oh, people call me Kae. While I was a WAC, they began to call me Kae because my middle name is Katherine." My mind immediately stunted in thought...she was a WAC...as in part of the first group of women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the United States Army during WWII. WHAT?!?!?! So amazing and she nonchalantly mentioned it like it was nothing. THEN, when I went into my script about receiving a free Thanksgiving meal and free Christmas gift she agreed to the meal and said, "You could serve somebody who needs a gift more than I do. I don't need anything but good health and I don't even have that. So you should give a gift to someone else." Her genuine desire to forgo a gift made me put her on the list even more and she thanked me and wished me well. I will probably never meet Kae; I will maybe talk to her on the phone one more time before the holidays but her genuine care for others and the incredible life story, I'm sure she has, intrigue me and remind me of what's really important every day of the year: good health and good intentions for others.
*Monday, Nov. 7th, 2011: This may seem silly, but today I am thankful for my footie pajamas. When I need to feel warm and cuddly or need to feel silly or just childish, they are there. They were a gift from a housemate of mine last year and have served me well ever since. Last night I was cold, tired and ready to just vedge out and low and behold, I open my bottom drawer to my dresser and there they were, just begging to be worn. I put them on and immediately felt warm and empowered...they brightened my mood immediately and I felt ready to make dinner, watch Jeopardy and then watch The Sing Off!!! So thank you, sock monkey footie pajamas for just being you...
*Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2011: I am grateful for Kae. While attempting to tackle my list of homebound seniors for the Thanksgiving meal delivery program and the Christmas giving tree program, I called Kae. Her real name is something else, but when I introduced myself as Katie she said, "oh, people call me Kae. While I was a WAC, they began to call me Kae because my middle name is Katherine." My mind immediately stunted in thought...she was a WAC...as in part of the first group of women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the United States Army during WWII. WHAT?!?!?! So amazing and she nonchalantly mentioned it like it was nothing. THEN, when I went into my script about receiving a free Thanksgiving meal and free Christmas gift she agreed to the meal and said, "You could serve somebody who needs a gift more than I do. I don't need anything but good health and I don't even have that. So you should give a gift to someone else." Her genuine desire to forgo a gift made me put her on the list even more and she thanked me and wished me well. I will probably never meet Kae; I will maybe talk to her on the phone one more time before the holidays but her genuine care for others and the incredible life story, I'm sure she has, intrigue me and remind me of what's really important every day of the year: good health and good intentions for others.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Now I can hold you. With my own two hands. And I can comfort you. With my own two hands.
Song lyrics (in blog title) taken from "With My Own Two Hands" by Ben Harper.
*Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011: Today I am grateful for a close friend from Bridgeport, CT. I worked with him all last year; in fact he was my first real friend in Bridgeport. For some strange reason this man and I clicked from the get-go...laughing, joking, talkin' "real talk" and enjoying the kids we worked with. He and I became a duo, partners, friends and I miss him every day I am in DC. I think of him often and little things pop up during my day that remind me of him and how much he means to me. He was such a rock for me last year that I am definitely struggling to fill that void here in DC BUT he called me last night. This is the second time he's called since I left and it was such a pleasant surprise! It made my night/day/week. I am still smiling because of it...it was only a 15-minute conversation but it was just what I needed...I needed to hear his voice and laugh with him again. I am grateful that he graced my life with his presence...even though it was only for a year and man, how that year flew by, I am so incredibly thankful for his friendship, love and support. I miss him every day and am so excited to tear up Bridgeport with him during the Thanksgiving break! AH!
*Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011: I know I've said this many times before but today I am thankful for my mother. I got in the mail today a pair of Halloween socks, my voter's ballot and a quirky Halloween card from my mother. The Halloween card looked like it was something she had found in the 70's and had just now gotten around to using it. It was a cat wearing a witch's hat and on the inside, my mama wrote: "I know you hate cats, but it reminded me of you when you were a witch for Halloween so many years ago." It's no wonder I am constantly being nostalgic...wonder where I get it from, huh? But I am grateful for her silliness, her little ways of showing me that she is thinking of me and her nostalgia. She wrote other things in the card as well, that made me tear up because it jogged my memory and made me walk down memory lane---such a good lane to walk down. I appreciate her so much and the perfect timing her notes/letters/packages have in my life. They always seem to come when I need her most and I am grateful for that.
*Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011: Today I am thankful for an elderly woman who came into our building to see if the services we offer will work for her. She was pretty immobile and I could tell her memory/attention span was pretty out of whack but she had a gentleness to her. I actually didn't catch her name but she strolled in at 4:30pm and began asking me all sorts of questions about what Emmaus does and the services we offer. She kept saying, "I may be looking away or reading, but I am still listening to you...I am paying attention." She wanted to be so respectful to me and it was so kind of her to repeat that same phrase, over and over again. She left our building at 4:50pm or maybe a little later and I cleaned up my desk and began to shut everything down for the evening. When I left our building I began making my walk home and what did my eyes appear but the same elderly woman, a few feet in front of me, slowly heading in the same direction I was heading in. I caught up to her and we began talking about my life as a teacher last year and the year before and my current volunteer position with Emmaus. She was such a sweet heart but a tough one too...she said, "man, there's no money in anything anymore. I can't imagine trying to work during these times...it's hard for me and I'm retired!" We walked the four blocks together until I turned right onto Georgia Ave. and she kept heading straight on 9th. She left me with this: "Well, Ms. Katie, I wish you all the luck and blessings in this year and I hope God allows us to see each other once again." I am grateful for this elderly woman today for reminding me that the little encounters God sprinkles during our days with unknown people are sometimes more important than we think.
*Friday, Nov. 4th, 2011: Today I am grateful for children. I know my passion, I know my calling, I know my love...it's children. Tonight, my roommate invited me to her agency to watch the kids (grades 1-11) while some of them tested their reading and math skills. I happily obliged. For three hours or so I laughed, played, joked and tried to convince the kids that I was married to Justin Bieber. It was so much fun to be around kids and be silly again. I loved it...I realized that I need that in my life. I like seniors, I like talking to them and learning so much from them but my heart belongs to youth. You can't change that. So today I am thankful for that realization and recognition.
*Saturday, Nov. 5th, 2011: Today I am thankful for visiting with my old roommate. Today I met up with Bridget in DC to do some sight seeing...we went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Holocaust Museum. It was great to chat, laugh, joke, talk "real talk" and just be with her again...I miss her. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with her because even though we knew each other for maybe only a month or so, I am so blessed to have had her friendship and today reminded me of that. I am grateful for the six or seven hours we got of fun time today.
*Sunday, Nov. 6th, 2011: Today I am grateful for down time. Although I went to church (loved it) and watched the Jets game with Brittney, Britt and I got home around 5pm so the rest of the night was our oyster. All four of us were home (with no plans for the night) which I think was the first time that has happened in a long, long while. Britt led us in a really good Spirituality night and then we all just hung out, in our living room, reading, typing on the computer, doing sudoku and just relaxing in each other's company. It was wonderful to just "be" with one another; without an agenda or plan in place. It was such a blessing to just let conversation go where ever or just sit in silence. I am so grateful for that down time today.
*Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011: Today I am grateful for a close friend from Bridgeport, CT. I worked with him all last year; in fact he was my first real friend in Bridgeport. For some strange reason this man and I clicked from the get-go...laughing, joking, talkin' "real talk" and enjoying the kids we worked with. He and I became a duo, partners, friends and I miss him every day I am in DC. I think of him often and little things pop up during my day that remind me of him and how much he means to me. He was such a rock for me last year that I am definitely struggling to fill that void here in DC BUT he called me last night. This is the second time he's called since I left and it was such a pleasant surprise! It made my night/day/week. I am still smiling because of it...it was only a 15-minute conversation but it was just what I needed...I needed to hear his voice and laugh with him again. I am grateful that he graced my life with his presence...even though it was only for a year and man, how that year flew by, I am so incredibly thankful for his friendship, love and support. I miss him every day and am so excited to tear up Bridgeport with him during the Thanksgiving break! AH!
*Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011: I know I've said this many times before but today I am thankful for my mother. I got in the mail today a pair of Halloween socks, my voter's ballot and a quirky Halloween card from my mother. The Halloween card looked like it was something she had found in the 70's and had just now gotten around to using it. It was a cat wearing a witch's hat and on the inside, my mama wrote: "I know you hate cats, but it reminded me of you when you were a witch for Halloween so many years ago." It's no wonder I am constantly being nostalgic...wonder where I get it from, huh? But I am grateful for her silliness, her little ways of showing me that she is thinking of me and her nostalgia. She wrote other things in the card as well, that made me tear up because it jogged my memory and made me walk down memory lane---such a good lane to walk down. I appreciate her so much and the perfect timing her notes/letters/packages have in my life. They always seem to come when I need her most and I am grateful for that.
*Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011: Today I am thankful for an elderly woman who came into our building to see if the services we offer will work for her. She was pretty immobile and I could tell her memory/attention span was pretty out of whack but she had a gentleness to her. I actually didn't catch her name but she strolled in at 4:30pm and began asking me all sorts of questions about what Emmaus does and the services we offer. She kept saying, "I may be looking away or reading, but I am still listening to you...I am paying attention." She wanted to be so respectful to me and it was so kind of her to repeat that same phrase, over and over again. She left our building at 4:50pm or maybe a little later and I cleaned up my desk and began to shut everything down for the evening. When I left our building I began making my walk home and what did my eyes appear but the same elderly woman, a few feet in front of me, slowly heading in the same direction I was heading in. I caught up to her and we began talking about my life as a teacher last year and the year before and my current volunteer position with Emmaus. She was such a sweet heart but a tough one too...she said, "man, there's no money in anything anymore. I can't imagine trying to work during these times...it's hard for me and I'm retired!" We walked the four blocks together until I turned right onto Georgia Ave. and she kept heading straight on 9th. She left me with this: "Well, Ms. Katie, I wish you all the luck and blessings in this year and I hope God allows us to see each other once again." I am grateful for this elderly woman today for reminding me that the little encounters God sprinkles during our days with unknown people are sometimes more important than we think.
*Friday, Nov. 4th, 2011: Today I am grateful for children. I know my passion, I know my calling, I know my love...it's children. Tonight, my roommate invited me to her agency to watch the kids (grades 1-11) while some of them tested their reading and math skills. I happily obliged. For three hours or so I laughed, played, joked and tried to convince the kids that I was married to Justin Bieber. It was so much fun to be around kids and be silly again. I loved it...I realized that I need that in my life. I like seniors, I like talking to them and learning so much from them but my heart belongs to youth. You can't change that. So today I am thankful for that realization and recognition.
*Saturday, Nov. 5th, 2011: Today I am thankful for visiting with my old roommate. Today I met up with Bridget in DC to do some sight seeing...we went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Holocaust Museum. It was great to chat, laugh, joke, talk "real talk" and just be with her again...I miss her. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with her because even though we knew each other for maybe only a month or so, I am so blessed to have had her friendship and today reminded me of that. I am grateful for the six or seven hours we got of fun time today.
*Sunday, Nov. 6th, 2011: Today I am grateful for down time. Although I went to church (loved it) and watched the Jets game with Brittney, Britt and I got home around 5pm so the rest of the night was our oyster. All four of us were home (with no plans for the night) which I think was the first time that has happened in a long, long while. Britt led us in a really good Spirituality night and then we all just hung out, in our living room, reading, typing on the computer, doing sudoku and just relaxing in each other's company. It was wonderful to just "be" with one another; without an agenda or plan in place. It was such a blessing to just let conversation go where ever or just sit in silence. I am so grateful for that down time today.
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