Sorry to both my followers that I've been out so long. There's so much to write about some days, it's hard to decide. Tonight, however, I can't help but write.
Several times per year, an organization named PARTNERS (formerly ARC(association for retarded citizens) ) holds dances for persons with disabilities. Of course, the clients I work with always go and look forward to each event. Back in september, I went to a dance, basically because I was working and all 3 of my clients were going. So I was sitting there watching the clients form the train while the dj played "Locomotion", thinking that my ole fishing buddy Mike would love this. He went to every dance and got his picture in the paper several times, leading the train. In a moment, I looked up and I couldn't believe my eyes! It was MIKE! He came over to me the minute he saw me. "Julie! I'm happy to see you, are you happy to see me? You missed my face didn't you?" Thinking of it now, makes me smile. Mike sat down with me and we talked and caught up on things. He looked good, laughing and smiling and talking about his favorite subject: fishing! Mike asked me to dance several dances and then he told me that his sister brought him. I went to talk to his sister and she hugged me and said she was glad to see me. She also told me "Mike was never better than he was when you worked with him. He sure loves you." It was very sweet and it made me remember just how much Mike got to me and how important and special our "relationship" was and is. To know that he is doing well now did my heart good. His sister said that she has been arguing with her siblings about being there for Mike and this turned out to be a good thing that he was sent somewhere else.
TONIGHT: Tonight was the Halloween Dance. I stopped by after working my 2nd job because I had a feeling Mike might be there. He was and 2 sisters were there. They both smiled when they saw me and Mike asked me to dance so many dances. He's a dancin fool that man! His sister even made his costume (a turtle) which won a prize! Oh it was great seeing him again and he told me he is doing well.
I also ran into a case manager that I worked with when I was a case worker before I was promoted in January. She said, "I thought you left completely! What are you doing now?" So I explained that I was managing a "waiver site" home with 3 clients and was promoted in January. She told me "You were so good. You always had good ideas and you were always great with the clients. I am so glad you are still here. You're so good at what you do and that's why you were promoted." I have to take a moment and feel proud, not just of what I've accomplished, but for all the clients I've worked with. Yah there are times when I wished I would do something else, felt burnt out and done with all of it, but it helps me to know there is some purpose for what I do and maybe it's a good thing to make a difference. It's the teaching part that I love. Not everyone can do it, but those that do must give it all you have.
Otherwise why bother doing anything?
Look for something more valuable than money....it will last longer.
