Gratitude...

Working the midnight shift, but now the sun is just starting to come up.
I've got a few minutes where I can take the time to say "Thanks for your comments."
Later on, when I have days off, I'll write to each of you...personally.

I am filled with gratitude right now. One of my youths came back last night. When this one is not here, I worry about what's happening in his/her life. Too young to be living on the streets. And I admire this tough cookie...aged 13. This one isn't taking any crap from anybody...
I love the fighting spirit.
I pray that this vibrant soul finds a place in the sun.
A place without predators...drugs...easy access to alcohol.

So I write today about gratitude.
Thanks for sending this youth back to us.
(We'll pretend I didn't make the peanut butter cookies as a way of saying "Welcome back"...I probably would have made them anyway.)

And I'm grateful because some of you "get me."
It's hard to explain why I'm a Shelter worker...
Something deep inside...and the feeling that I've been destined to be here, doing this, for a long time.
It's not out of a desire to be "sanctified."
Rather, it's being able to go home and know that someone...maybe my young spirit...made it safely through another night.
I'm content to sit quietly on the sidelines...rooting for their success.
(Because it's their success...not mine. And just as we insist people take responsibility for their mistakes, we should also insist that people take responsibility - glory! - for their hard-earned success stories.)

Okay. Soon time to wake people up...
Just enough time for a cup of coffee and a quick smoke.