And other days everything runs so smoothly and you can practically hear the social gears cranking and everything seems like a well oiled machine and the sun shines and the birds sing and the clouds clear and I feel so lucky to be a part of it all.
Today is not one of those days.
It's hard to separate oneself from the horror stories one is exposed to from nine to five. Bad things that never make the news that happen to people who aren't important enough to matter to the networks. A pregnant ten year old who believes her mother and the Parish Priest that she will go to hell if she has an abortion and a deaf baby born to homeless teenagers with Down Syndrome and a 22 year old mother of five/grandmother who thinks it's good to have your babies early in life so you can get it over with- after all, she turned out just fine.
Those were cases that have made their way across my desk over the years.
People who aren't just fine, because they know me.
If you know me from nine to five you probably aren't just fine.
I had the Big Girl job interview last week, and it went really well. I should be hearing back in a week or so about the position. The new job wouldn't make all those things go away, but it would take them off my radar. A bit. I don't know if I could leave public health and social services entirely, but moving my way up the ranks sounds appealing.
Today.
***
In other news, a realtor is coming to look at the house this evening. Just to see what it's worth before we make any life-altering decisions. I like my house. It's where I live. Where we live.
Before.
Now.
Maybe later.
Maybe not.
We'll see.
12 comments:
I'm excited to hear about the job! Please write about it once you know!
I don't think I could do what you do from 9-5. I think you are wonderful to want to help, especially where kids are involved.
Thanks for posting!
Sigh. I'm sorry. That all sucks. It is so true that knowing you 9-5 is where the not so hot stuff is at. I know that well. Hugs. And keep us posted on the job stuff. I hope you wore your new pants. ;)
Good luck on the new job!!
I can't even imagine what you hear during the day. So sad! And discouraging.
Selling? Maybe? That is kind of exciting!!! A new space to move into is always exciting.
Good luck on that too
Hugs
SueAnn
What you've just described is one of the main reasons I never went on to get my masters in Psychology. I wanted to be an Art Therapist... but the more I watched a co-worker at the health department where I worked do this for a living and the stories she could tell.. I knew my heart and mind might not be able to A) Handle it, and B) leave it at work.
I have this fear that I will bring work home and take it out on my kids/family. This is also why I changed my major after receiving an AA in Early Childhood Dev. to Graphic Design. I didn't want to lose my patience all day with other people's children at daycare and then have none left for my babies at home.
I know I'll be a full time worker, not a stay at home mom. It's not a luxury I will have, and I'm not sure if I'd want it... maybe a little but still...
I gotta work but I want the time I Have with my babies to be special... not clouded.
You do a great job of keeping work work and your time with your son precious/special. Well done!
P.S. good luck with the house... I'm trying to work up the nerve to purchase a home, but first I have to work up my bank account to purchase said home.
ox
Sounds like what you do 9-5 goes beyond those 8 hours. How do you separate the two?
I'm excited about this new job for you as well because I can certainly understand where you're coming from. It must be hard to love to help people and want to help people but in order to help you have to know what's wrong. And what's wrong isn't always right. At all.
A 22-year old GRANDMOTHER??? WTH?
As much as my government job sucks I do believe you have me beat. Good luck on getting the new job. If nothing else I hope it will involve a pay increase. We won't be seeing any of those anytime soon here but if the recall election works out maybe there will be hope for the future.
2 more weeks til I am in your neck of the woods.
All these babies having babies and then some of us grown-ups who really want to but can't.
But it's selfish of me to make these sad things all about me.
Social workers have halos.
hope the realtor visit went well- i like all the possibilities that you've got going on.......dream big!!!
As you know, I work in the Acute side of medicine. ICU. I work in the beginning, where the horror story starts. We scoop them up save them and then send them on their merry way to some unknown ending, where you start your day. Your job is the hardest one in the field of medicine.
What to do with these.....people? These unwanted unloved unknown unwashed uneducated hopeless helpless hapless humans who have no idea what we are ever telling them. Spend your money on blood pressure medication and not crack cocaine may seem logical to me, but is not even an option for him. And then there are the children. The innocents.
My dear, Lorie, your life's work is so essential to humanity. Someone needs to care for the forgotten and discarded. I have total admiration for our social workers of all walks and specialties.
My sister worked with at-risk families (if you can call them that) for twenty years. She's been hanging out for almost five now, recovering her love of life. Take care of yourself.
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