Am I my sister's keeper? What is my responsibility to women who are less fortunate than I am? How can I, one person, make a difference? Our system for dealing with women who have addiction, who are homeless, who are incarcerated feels pretty - broken? dysfunctional? inadequate? not enough?
On the same day that the President is here in Portland for a sold-out $5000 a plate dinner, I visited my mentee from the My Sister's Keeper program in the Cumberland County jail. I brought her a small journal, as I know she likes to write. I was not allowed to bring it in with me - when I asked, I was told, "they can't have anything." My "sister" shared that she can only send out three letters in a week, if she even has money to buy stamps, which she doesn't. Her family lives too far away to visit. She really, really wants to be rid of her disease and have a decent, healthy life. She has made poor decisions, but being homeless for five months, she relapsed shortly after she and I met. No safe place, no place of her own. She has a chance for a program that could make a difference, but a judge this morning said in his opinion, she should go to jail for 4 years! So meanwhile, she sits. And waits. And is trying to stay positive.
As I was waiting to go in to see her, the TV had a segment on the 6.5 million dollar lottery and I couldn't help but think what I'd do if I won. Build or renovate homes for homeless women and their children - lots of them, so no one would have to be turned away. In-house services and programs for parenting, spiritual development, "Houses of Healing" Curriculum, art classes, day care, etc. I don't know how many people are attending the Obama dinner, but obviously there are folks with money here. I get crazy when I think of million dollar Super Bowl Ads, or athletes who earn $95 million for a five year contract. Our priorities are sooo messed up.
I am going to continue supporting my "sister" - remind her of her worth, remind her that "this too shall pass", hug her and hopefully give her some encouragement. I want to do so much more! I want her to have a chance to be who she is meant to be! She told me today she is thankful that I am in her life. I told her it is I who is thankful for the opportunity to walk with her on her journey, even when the road gets super bumpy. She has much to teach me.
Just had all this rushing around in my head, good to get it down! By the way, for you reading this in the Portland area, My Sister's Keeper is an awesome program that has been in existence for ten years. I strongly encourage you to check it out!
On the same day that the President is here in Portland for a sold-out $5000 a plate dinner, I visited my mentee from the My Sister's Keeper program in the Cumberland County jail. I brought her a small journal, as I know she likes to write. I was not allowed to bring it in with me - when I asked, I was told, "they can't have anything." My "sister" shared that she can only send out three letters in a week, if she even has money to buy stamps, which she doesn't. Her family lives too far away to visit. She really, really wants to be rid of her disease and have a decent, healthy life. She has made poor decisions, but being homeless for five months, she relapsed shortly after she and I met. No safe place, no place of her own. She has a chance for a program that could make a difference, but a judge this morning said in his opinion, she should go to jail for 4 years! So meanwhile, she sits. And waits. And is trying to stay positive.
As I was waiting to go in to see her, the TV had a segment on the 6.5 million dollar lottery and I couldn't help but think what I'd do if I won. Build or renovate homes for homeless women and their children - lots of them, so no one would have to be turned away. In-house services and programs for parenting, spiritual development, "Houses of Healing" Curriculum, art classes, day care, etc. I don't know how many people are attending the Obama dinner, but obviously there are folks with money here. I get crazy when I think of million dollar Super Bowl Ads, or athletes who earn $95 million for a five year contract. Our priorities are sooo messed up.
I am going to continue supporting my "sister" - remind her of her worth, remind her that "this too shall pass", hug her and hopefully give her some encouragement. I want to do so much more! I want her to have a chance to be who she is meant to be! She told me today she is thankful that I am in her life. I told her it is I who is thankful for the opportunity to walk with her on her journey, even when the road gets super bumpy. She has much to teach me.
Just had all this rushing around in my head, good to get it down! By the way, for you reading this in the Portland area, My Sister's Keeper is an awesome program that has been in existence for ten years. I strongly encourage you to check it out!
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