Shelter Ethics

I worked a shift at the shelter yesterday. We had a memorial circle for a beloved resident of our floor who passed away from alcohol related causes.  The gathering was, for the most part, tasteful, respectful, and the guys expressed themselves sincerely...right up until the end when one of the so-called 'friends' of the deceased arrived as the service was concluding.  I had a head's up at the beginning as to his whereabouts and I already knew one of the guys was pretty bent out of shape about the fact that this guy went out drinking instead of attending the service.  This said, most of the men around the circle were well on their way themselves by 10:30am when we started the sharing.  One guy passed out and began snoring while another guy shared from his heart.  A dispute broke out between several of the men as to whether the deceased had been drinking rubbing alcohol on the day he died or not.  But generally I was able to keep them on topic and speaking one at a time.  We ended with some very heartfelt sentiments and there was appreciation all around for the opportunity to get together in the midst of a place fraught with ridiculous behaviour.  Just before I could pronounce a final benediction the frowned upon friend walked in proclaiming his apologies for being 'late'.  This elicited the ire of one guy in particular who quickly confronted the latecomer and an altercation broke out.  Voices were raised, strong words were exchanged about disrespecting the dead, some pushing and shoving ensued, and any indication that we had just had a meaningful remembrance went out the window.  The supervisor, having heard the ruckus, came rushing to the scene looking confused as to how a fight could break out during a time of somber reflection.

One Month to Go:

Time seems to have sped up now and I feel myself breaking into a bit of a jog from my usual leisurely pace.  I have lists on post it notes stuck in all kinds of places with reminders for medications, bills for auto withdrawal, supplies to take with me, deadlines of tasks to accomplish at work before I leave.  When I leave work on Feb. 28th it will be like a balloon full of helium.  inevitably things will go sideways just before I'm ready go and guilt will try to pop my balloon.  I'm trying hard to prepare well.

New Years Day

warm fire, soft couches, hot drinks, cottage snow.

feeling good after great celebration last night with friends up north.  

lots to look forward to as 2012 gets underway.  

a look back on some happenings from 2011:

Bahamas: Long Island

celebrating Dean's 40th (Dec.)

traveling uganda with andy and ryan in march of 2011.  can't remember the last time I laughed this much.  

ryan says people go to asia and come back wiser because of the confusionist history, people go to central america and come back revolutionaries, but people go to africa and come back laughing.  this was definitely my experience.  still laughing in fact.