"They" say, experience makes the fella. It certainly turned out that way for me this week. I've had two very long days working with a helpful organization. (7 a.m. - 4 p.m.) I admit I approached the task with a bit of apprehension. I don't want to say that I felt it beneath my status to be there, but I really did, at first. Nothing and no one could have prepared for the joy I walked away with, from those two days. (If you're bored, leave now.)
(Most of you know that I was hospitalized seven times between April and August.)
Okay so I got behind in my power bill. Yes electricity is one of my most favorite things to have around and ON. Literally I was backed into a corner of borrowing, stealing, selling my first born child, or seeking this helpful organization. Oh golly gee yes! I needed help. What? Yes, poor little dcrelief was sadly inundated with medical bills and cruising toward broke.
Here's the real "meat" of my story: I had the extreme pleasure of meeting some of the nicest people in the world there. Gosh - we were all broke, devastated by the economy, or running out of children to sell. One minute I was talking with an 87 year old woman, raising four grandchildren, and the next, talking with a 24 year old, fresh out of prison, who wanted to attend art school. On and on it went, meeting, talking, and/or sharing the fears of America's future. Our future!
It was the first time in almost 20 years since I had been there... remarkably things were the same. Same method of herding the long line of sheeple into the help zone. But while we stood, a massive line of some 400 people, we began to connect. It was awesome! It didn't matter whether you'd lost everything or barely holding onto the little you had... we connected. Rich, middle-class, poor, and indigent... we connected because in one way or another, we needed help.
Because there were so many of us, many of us had to return the next day. So I found myself part of a large group spending the two days together, in expectation. We even began to applaud for each other as our names were called to come forward.( "Hey, hey, hey; you'll be out of here soon!") I just wish I could help my readers absorb the good naturedness of it all. Some might say: "This then, is America." To me that's not even an issue. To me, this is what I want the world to be like. Hugging goodbye, blessing each other, and really wanting to see each other again... no words do it justice.
Strangely I had a brilliant idea...hmm? Maybe I will go once a month or so and hang out. Hopefully I won't need the help again. I sure did learn lots of things that I might have otherwise waited a lifetime to experience. For once I felt like a "people-person"; someone hanging out just to get to know people. I'd almost forgotten why I was there until my name was called. Tears were in the eyes of a few of us as we waved goodbye.
Thank you for reading this post. A long but necessary rendering of how humanity can exist. It's a choice.
Adversity works wonders. It's the genuine helpfulness of all being in 'something' together. We really link up, support and appreciate each other, no matter what our backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteImagine if we could bottle this quality and use it wisely ...
Mike, you're so right. I'm holding on to all the memories I gleaned; for me it was a gleaning of mutual love.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hi Dixie,
ReplyDeleteAnd through such misfortune and hardship, the powerful theme was being together with a shared humanity at its most profound, caring and compassionate.
A beautiful and hopeful post.
Thank you, my dear human friend.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx
Hello Penny!
ReplyDeleteLong time, no 'girl' chat. Certainly you would understand... all the animal rights' protesters around the world are barking out concerning 'creature' abuse. We are all creatures of the earth... and there's nothing like love to encourage a better way of living.
Thank you for visiting and leaving a sweet comment. ~Arf - Arf
This is a amazing example of real support. Like you, my wife and I are having hard times paying our medical bills, whether it's prescription or otherwise. I think we'll have to cut out some niceties that we've enjoyed in the past and present. Hopefully, one of them won't be electricity- which is pretty much a necessity unless you're a mountain man.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your group of all ages could come to together, share support and stories and know that real sense of community with one another. I wish there was a place like that around here. I envy you.
this post should serve as a hopeful, shining example for all what people can do for one another and the fact there are so many ways to help out. I wish the best for you, dixie. Take care. I'm linking your last few posts up on Facebook in the hope others will read this and become inspired.
Hi Kelly. Unfortunately, all commodities are rising in costs daily; no area left untouched by the dollar $ign. This makes for a stressed and angry citizenship. So, yes, I was amazed by some 400 people and their mutual concern for each other, and me.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind to link this post. ~And I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading of it. At first my ego wanted to dismiss any idea that I 'needed help.' Being human has it's own drawbacks, but loving people helped me get over my self!!
I'll keep you and your wife in my daily good thoughts section. Thank you, Kelly. Take care.
Oh! Looking forward to your #2 interview. :)