Soooo new job and other stuff

[Doublete]

My mom is BEYOND tickled as I found my path without her input and she says she has always known this is where I should be as she observed me when I substitute taught during college.
In my interview they asked me which age group I preferred.. I've always found more joy in helping older kids. So the kids I work with are close to aging out into the adult program.
I'm helping them with life skills and putting together their resume.


Oh and shhhhhh but so far two of the staff in charge of the volunteer opportunities have expressed interest in the kids coming to my farm to help. Right now they have a relationship at a restaurant where two of the boys roll silverware, roll dough, make coffee, etc.
One boy (the cat lady one) has a profound love of animals. One day they were washing the cafeteria windows and the washing solution ended up surrounding a little bug. He insisted they save the bug and he dried him carefully and released him outside.
This boy is 16, about 6'2" and probably 200 lbs. he would LOVE doing farm work.
And if that gives him training to get a job working on a farm to make a living... Oh my gosh.

Yup. These kids are special.

 

[Doublete]

I would have loved to seen your face when he called her cat lady lol

ALL of us were dying. I quickly said come on let's let her get to her day. When we got back to the van the 3rd staff member said did he ask what I think he did?!?!

I've actually been on the receiving end of that one - SO YOU'RE LIKE THE CAT LADY - ONLY WITH BIRDS?!

Yeah. It was funny... for everyone else... that one kinda stung a bit.

Of course, it's different when an autistic child says it, in the context of a more innocent comment... as opposed to someone scoring a direct hit from a deliberate rip.

Meanwhile... I AM the CRAZY cat lady myself. I don't plan to tell him!

But for you... It's a compliment as not everyone has the gift to work with birds the way you do!

 

[RavensGryf]

Congratulations on your new career! Best wishes to you with everything !

 

[Allee]

Congratulations! Your new job sounds fantastic! I worked with autistic children for three short years, of all the jobs I've ever had it was one of the most rewarding, I've always wished I'd pursued it further.

I'm glad you were reunited with your friend but so sorry for what he's going through. I hope he finds the strength and courage to take the initiative to get help and follow through. Addiction hurts everyone involved.

 

[itchyfeet]

My mom is BEYOND tickled as I found my path without her input and she says she has always known this is where I should be as she observed me when I substitute taught during college.
In my interview they asked me which age group I preferred.. I've always found more joy in helping older kids. So the kids I work with are close to aging out into the adult program.
I'm helping them with life skills and putting together their resume.


Oh and shhhhhh but so far two of the staff in charge of the volunteer opportunities have expressed interest in the kids coming to my farm to help. Right now they have a relationship at a restaurant where two of the boys roll silverware, roll dough, make coffee, etc.
One boy (the cat lady one) has a profound love of animals. One day they were washing the cafeteria windows and the washing solution ended up surrounding a little bug. He insisted they save the bug and he dried him carefully and released him outside.
This boy is 16, about 6'2" and probably 200 lbs. he would LOVE doing farm work.
And if that gives him training to get a job working on a farm to make a living... Oh my gosh.

Yup. These kids are special.

Oh soul sister! Same happened with my mother in law!

I miss the horses. I had a 16h SB mare reasonably fresh off the track for a while. She was a darling, but a lot of horse. And I tend to break bones easily. In the end I sold her to a lovely high country farmer down south, and she'll be there forever, trekking through lakes and hills.

I'm lucky to have such balance - I study and work from home. If i have a slow day no one is bothered and I have control over my environment. I don't think I could do it if I had to work outside of the home...

As for your passion and excitement, it's shining through It's okay to play favourites a little remember, - I used to feel guilty occasionally because I seem to able to connect with some of my kids more than others....but those special connections light up their life and change their world.

 

[Weezerj]

Glad to hear about your new job, kudos to you. I used to work with special needs kids in high school and now I help high functioning special needs people at my work. I find it very rewarding.

When I was in college I had a roommate that was a heavy drinker. We all drank but he always seemed to take it farther than anyone else would go. After I graduated and left be dropped out and started a downward spiral that ended with jerkin addiction and death. I wish I would have been more keen to pick up on it and try to help him, thi I know that he needed to want to help himself for that to have been possible.

Lastly, I really want to hang out with Mark....stupidity is right up my alley.

 

[Doublete]

I'm heartbroken to say his mother found him in his backyard on Mother's Day. And he had been there for some time.
The disease just took everything from him. The outpouring of his friends and what he considered his family has been unbelievably sad. But most of his brothers (fraternity) didn't even know how bad it had gotten.
I am feeling so incredibly awful because on my birthday a week ago I meant to call him and track him down and make sure he spent some time with me because I spent HIS birthday with him. But life got away from me. I got busy.

Today has been rough. Full of tears.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I don't know what to say. I am so sorry

 

[Doublete]

Yea it's ok. I don't either. Every time I look at fb I see another memory or photo our friends have shared. It's heartbreaking.

 

[SailBoat]

We can only stand at the edge of rainbow bridge. We have no way to know when an upcoming crossing will occur or why.

The prison of addiction allows no knowledge of when the prisoner will end its control. Either by finding a path out or giving up.

Whether you called or not, the choice likely already occurred before your birthday. Had you called, there may have been a chance - a very slim chance. However, only a trained professional 'may' have been able to pick-up on what choice he had made.

Your life can be a strong statement to what good was in him. You have made the strong choice that he was not able to make. Live that choice! Grow from that choice and place into those you will work with, the opportunity of a special life!

Prays for you and the very special people that will be filling your life!