on orange juice, church hymns, and social work.

today at my internship, i swelled with joy because of the kind, caring, solid people i get to be around. (and this includes our "guests", "clients", or "friends" that we get to know there).  i got to chat with a social worker today-- a real live one living and working in the field of empowerment and social justice!  i also got to listen to a music therapist and a chaplain sing together in harmony over the bed of someone who grew up in the '40s and really enjoys those classic church hymns.  humming along to "amazing grace" and "i'll fly away" was a great way to go about the day in the little blue house just a few blocks away from the Capitol.

nurses, nurse aides, family members, and other caregivers will ring the doorbell one after another, bringing cheer and refreshment.  they stomp their boots, throw their hair up in a no-nonsense bun, and then check the coffee pot for a mid-morning energy boost.  i am well accustomed to this routine, and anticipate the parts of their lives they will share with me today.  i have heard achievement stories about their children, and all the funny things their husbands will say.  and then the doorbell rings again, and the shopping volunteer carries in bags of milk and orange juice and hand lotion to restock our fridge and pantry.

when i left today and headed towards the bus stop, i said a prayer for social workers everywhere.  some days i struggle with the gap between with my personal values and the values of my major.  but today, the two things reconciled beautifully.