Deep Thoughts

Well, probably not so deep but profound.

I just came back from Project Homeless Connect and again it made me feel a bit overwhelmed. Picture a large ballroom type room filled with chairs set up facing each other in pairs. Now picture 1,400+ people in black T-shirts sitting in one of the chairs facing an empty chair, waiting for it to be filled by a total stranger who, by the way, happens to be homeless or near homeless. When they meet, they become instant friends and the person in the black T-shirt helps the other navigate through an area a couple city blocks long that provides them with medical care, eye care, dental care, help with housing, employment, legal issues and something as simple as getting a pair of boots for the Winter. That's what I did this morning. I wore the black T-shirt and helped "Jan" get a voucher to get her state ID card for free, we got her a pair of reading glasses and she was seen by a doctor who gave her some anti-biotics and some meds for asthma and she also got her H1N1 shot and a tetanus shot. Then we had lunch together and talked about our plans for the Holidays.

This is the 2nd time I've done this and it really makes you realize how fortunate you are. Yes, I will be unemployed in a couple weeks, but I still have a nice home, transportation and the hope that I will find another job. So many out there are not as lucky. Please say a prayer for the homeless and under-employed people living in poverty in our country. So many of us are just a few paychecks away from something horrible happening to us. No one deserves to live on the street or go to bed hungry each night, but so many do.

On the brighter side, I am preparing for my 2nd appointment with my new trainer. I didn't hurt as bad as I thought I would after Saturday morning's session, so that's a good thing. Hope I can say the same after this one!!

Tomorrow AM I will be helping with the special shopping event at the store for the Seniors and disabled. Then I have to go back to the 'real world' and work again! Oh well, can't all be fun and games now, can it? :o)