Tears And Isolation
Two stories from City House volunteer Jymie Anderson, who volunteers at the Basilica St. Mary’s in Minneapolis. She serves as a listening presence to persons who use the services of this drop in homeless site. Thank you Jymie for your selfless service on the margins!!
This morning Mary sat down with me and after preliminaries about what was bringing her to Outreach today, she began telling her story about family and illness, shelter living, her employment, her transitions. At the end of our time together, she finally, in tears, admitted the betrayal she felt by her sister who lives here as well as her reluctance in telling her family in another state of her situation here. Before leaving Outreach, she told both her advocate and the intake person of her gratitude for the woman in pink who listened to her, reached out to her, and helped her to see her own courage. I, of course, am the woman in pink!
Earlier this summer Frances returned to talk with me and tell me of his improvement since last we had spoken to one another. At our first conversation Frances admitted that he was depressed which had cost him his job and because of that was isolating himself in his apartment. I was the first person he had talked with in weeks. When he returned, it was to thank me for being open to him as it started him on the road to recovery. He was receiving the therapy he needed as well as a new direction in his work life. Unlike many I listen to, Frances is a college graduate who has been successfully employed and and made good life choices.
February 11th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Isn’t your hand sore from patting yourself on the back so much?
February 12th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Hi Bianca,
I can see where you would see this as self congratulation. Thanks for writing in.
Tom