Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sometimes It Works

Having had one of those wrung-out dish rag shifts at work, I am going to spend the rest of my waking hours clinging to the fact that not one but two former clients stopped in at the house this week to tell us how well they are doing.

One of them has two and a half years of sobriety, a well-paying job that he loves, an ever-improving relationship with his family. The other has almost a year and a half of sobriety, also a well-paying job and newly strengthened relationships with family and friends. Both of them stopped by to tell us how grateful they are for the help they got at our house.

Please excuse me while I sit in the corner chanting under my breath, "Sometimes it works. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it works."

12 comments:

  1. It's like a teacher having former students say, "You made a difference." It's what we got paid the "big bucks" for. Sweet post.

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  2. The few who remember to send "Thank You cards" may also have to represent the voices of the many others that "it" worked for who you may not always hear about. Sounds like very rewarding work.

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  3. Yes! I know the feeling! I can be so energized when a former student comes by and reports that life is now better. I have walked with kids through some pretty rough times and it is always so good to see them five or more years later, thriving and being productive and happy. Like Markie said, that's what we get the big bucks for, heh?

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  4. The simple 'thank you' goes a long way to improving my view of my job! I try to remember that when I'm out and about in the world.

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  5. That's so great to see the fruits of your labor!

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  6. That's awesome. Awesome they're doing well and doubly awesome they stopped by to tell you so.

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  7. That is such good news. I'm sorry about your dish rag day, but what a nice little nugget of goodness to hang onto... sometimes it works.

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  8. It's the angels among us that keep going when it doesn't work, because they know that sometimes it does work, if you follow me.

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    1. I think I do and I really appreciate it!

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  9. Sometimes, it works. Yay you.

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  10. Thanks everyone! It has been an otherwise pretty overwhelming week and things have felt pretty hopeless with the current crop of guys we have in there. The visits from the two "graduates" really made a HUGE difference in my ability to stay positive.

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