Lately mostly it's been the social workers and therapists and teachers and nurses and even the front desk people at some of the social service sites and recreation centers I work with who have been coming in since July 1 for half pay or without pay, on faith that the state will sort things out and give the money to the city who will sort things out and give the money to the agencies who sort things out and will give the money to the employees.
"I can't just leave the job", they say.
"The community needs me"
"It's not like I'm doing this for the money anyway"
"I love my job"
"I love the people"
"I love the work"
"I love"
Can you imagine?
I don't think I would do it. Could do it. Not full time, at least. Not without spending a good deal of my day scouring the classifieds, at least.
And maybe that's what they are doing, but who cares. They are at their desks, 9-5/M-F, and figuring out a way to make ends meet at home. Figuring out a way to make ends meet at work. Some of them have been bringing their kids to work because daycare is too expensive. And the kids are playing with the kids of the people who are in there for services because they just can't manage to make ends meet at home anymore.
That inspires me.
***
Here in Philadelphia we all spent the better part of the last week smack in the grasp of a Nor'easter. It sucks, sort of. It sucks if you have somewhere to go. But if you're bundled up and optimistic, it's not so bad. Extreme weather conditions bring us all together. Richpoorblackwhiteyoungoldhappysad we are all walking down the street against hurricane force winds and frigid temperatures and driving rain. We are all wet and cold and rushing around as fast as we can with our faces twisting us ugly and our noses wiping our coatsleeves. It's all very humbling and cohesive. For me at least. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about it.
We sack up and share umbrellas and loan out the extra scarves and hats and huddle together for warmth at the bus stop and take the time to buy a coffee for the man in the doorway so he can keep his hands and belly from going numb and we run home to crowd on the couch and in the bed under all the blankets and laugh a little bit about how miserable we are because if we don't laugh we cry.
That inspires me.
***
Saturday was Philadelphia Cares Day. Saturday was cold. And wet. And windy. And foggy. And cold. And wet. And windy. And foggy. And cold.
But we were out there, at least a thousand strong. Maybe more, I'm not sure. I'm not good at headcounts. Most people were bunkered down in their cars and in the buses during registration but they were there.
That inspires me.
***
Thousand thanks to Bossy for rallying Lori, Lauren, and I to get our arses out of bed at 6.30 on the darkestwettestcoldestwindiestfoggiest morning of 2009 and haul them to the Mann Center then down to a school we couldn't find because it wasn't a school it was a park that was supposed to be a school but was a park but didn't matter anyway because that site was called off (an hour past the) last minute and then sheltering us in a nice warm car until we got the call to drive down to Alcorn Elementary so we could paint the third floor hall walls blue.
It was very nice to put my head down that night completely exhausted and knowing we played a part in making the world a little bit prettier.
15 degrees {comments}:
That inspires me.
It was great! I am so glad we got to do this together and got to know each other a little better in the process. And now, the rain is pretty much gone and I can look back at it all over again through clear skies and really really bask. So many people with their arms open so wide!! I wish I could be there tomorrow and see those kids' faces when they enter their school and see those bright colored hall ways. Awesome!
My mom and my aunt went to Alcorn Elementary! They lived right down the block. Thanks for being inspired on an unbelievably excellent imitation of January day.
*applauds loudly*
*attempts to do that whistle thing where you put your fingers in your mouth, but only succeeds in spitting on self*
*back to applauding loudly*
You rock!!!
This event, in Bossy's rearview mirror, just keeps growing more and more special. You nailed it.
Just so you know...
This is becoming my very favorite top of the list blog, Lora. And YOU are one of the most inspiring people I know.
I was in the Philadelphia airport on Saturday, returning from a week in NY and sat in the Vino Volo wine bar having a glass of Italian red watching the nasty weather outside and feeling relieved I was returning to Florida. Wow! You're not kidding about the Nor'easter. It SNOWED in NY on Wednesday, and made it difficult to keep up with my outdoor exercise plan. I loved it though, probably because I knew I would be escaping it.
Anyway - your post is so touching and meaningful and genuine. I'm so happy to know you and to get to read such insightful wisdom from you every day. Now comes the hard task of catching up! But I will because I don't want to miss a word!
That's all inspiring. Here, I hunkered down inside with the kids while my husband was out in that January weather with college kids from 24 schools while they competed for bragging rights in the Ranger Challenge competition. The proudness in his voice about how they all came together in crappy weather was inspiring too.
Wow, lots going on the the city of brotherly love. Its nice when you hear stories that make the city live up to the name.
I don't know if I could go to work for free-hoping the government, state, city, agency figured out that I needed to get paid...eventually. At least the kids get to spend time with their parents, and play with new kids, and see that mommy and daddy are dedicated individuals. I would be at home, looking through classifieds, drinking weak coffee (to make it last longer) snuggling with my dog.
This post inspires me.
Making it happen is awesome!
Isn't that the way, just as you said 'they' come to work, led a hand, and know what it is like to be on the other side of making it work.
You know too. That is why all of 'you' make all of us sit up a little straighter and try a little harder. 'You' make us try to be better.
Thanks.
I used to work most of August for nothing when I was teaching. Putting in half days to get ready for the fall or spending my own money on supplies/courses as a part of prepping to enrich other peoples' kids. I never thought much of it. At the time anyway.
I really, really, REALLY wish I was there...
I think that painting that hall was one of the best things ever! I saw it on Bossy's blog and stopped by to visit with all you fun people who donated a Saturday to paint that hall. I feltn really good about it and I live in Texas! Also, I've never been in a N'easter and would like it...I think. Maybe someday, and thanks for stopping by so I could find your blog. I won't tell you how beautiful it was this past weekend.
The nice feeling you had as your head hit the pillow sort of made up for all the earlier shit. It does for me.
I'm always inspired by you, what you write, and how you write.
Thank you.
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