I know I promised to earn the award that Saiorse shared with me earlier this week. I've been tending to various things and letting stuff pile up. I really wanted to get some items to the food bank this week; and as per usual, I should've gotten this done sooner. So, tonite K. drove me to the local soup kitchen in Anchorage. The Beans Cafe.
This was my first time to this facility. It's adjacent to the home-less shelter.
Stop.
The home-less shelter.
In Anchorage, Alaska. Think about it.
Home-less in Alaska. How f***ed-up is that???!!!! It's butt-assed COLD here! 11!!! If you've got a better word for it; let me know.
I have donated food every year to the needy for the last 9 years; sometimes three or four times a year. This is the first time that I left out the middle-man and went straight to the place that would be making the meal that feeds the folks that need it most.
Wanna know the thing that haunts me the most? The young woman crossing the drive-way as we pulled in---carrying a 6-9 month-old infant. I'm guessing it was about 22%outside at the time.
I have a lot to be thankful for. I can't imagine being home-less, let alone in this God-forsaken place! I'll never complain about my one-butt kitchen again!
How can I convince K. that we should go back there and persuade this young mother to come live with us until she can gain a foothold? I still have the baby stuff from when Judith was here with her Mommie and Auntie and Uncle this summer. I'll bet she won't mind if we let someone else use it for a while.
;[
I've gotta get my shit in order. I don't deserve the life I lead.
wow it’s really been 40 years
1 day ago
21 comments:
Oh - this post made me cry.
Your heart is very deep. Who is to say that anyone deserves anything? We all just are and we can only try to do the right things.
You have certainly done that.
Mom, you deserve all of the good in the world. Find her and invite her in. I love you and I am thankful for your heart!
You do deserve the life you have, because you probably work hard, as I do, to maintain it. People are hungry all year long, so they will appreciate anytime you donate food.
You are such a good person to give of yourself and I am thankful you have become a friend.
Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy to the fullest this holiday weekend.
Hope you have had a wonderful and blessed day... and yes you deserve it
Hi how are you I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your blog friendship and to wish you a happy holiday weekend. I set up two awards for you on my blog. The first one is called "Uber Amazing Blog" and the second one is the "Kreativ Blogger" award. Please feel free to also pass them along to any blogger friends you may have or to simply display them on your blog like I want you to. Take and and click here to get you there quick.
OMG-they are beautful!!! I cannot wait til you see them. They will soon be in the mail.
Your compassion is my favorite thing about you.
What Saoirse said is true and so important: hunger and need exist year-round, so your generosity is never lost no matter when you act.
Thanks for the wonderful post.
You do a wonderful thing by donating the food. The fact that you want to bring someone home to help them is an amazingly generous feeling to have. You should realize how unique you are.
I hope you and your family had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Thank you, guys. Since I'm leaving in a little over than two weeks, I plan on going to sort this person out. The baby is a huge concern, but if the mom is a problem...I basicaly should be here to keep track and not trouble K. with my endeavor. I'm sure he will be on board if I am here as i will immerse myself in the task at hand. Besides; I have all of this baby stuff going to waste! :)
There is a package winging its way to Alaska as we speak. I see your governor found a way to get her beak in front of the cameras again. Have a great Wednesday.
Dear Vikki,
I have often thought, "But for the grace of God there goes I."
Sharing what we have and keeping those that are in need in our hearts is what the spirit of Christmas is all about.
Hugs,
Sherry
Damn.
Just Damn.
Have a good trip. Sounds like one crazy dog. Let me know what you think of the earrings when you get them.
Hugs to you and the young mother and especially the baby.
I had to delete everything else I wrote because it was just rambling.
Vikki, your compassion touches me at my heart's core. And I have no doubt you crossed paths with this mother and child for a purpose. If you never see her again--which often happens with homeless people--at the very least, you've brought her to our attention so we can pray God's mercy and protection for her.
I think you're wise to consider K's feelings, however. I grew up in an "open door" home; sometimes the number of people living with us was double and triple the size of our family. Kindness on the scale you're considering demands a great deal of commitment and understanding from everyone, particularly when those you help can't (or won't) overcome the problems that caused their distress. The rewards are tremendous, but I'd also caution you that there are risks as well.
Given all I learned from my folks, I'd advise you to discuss this carefully with K and play out every possible scenario the two of you can imagine--best to worst cases. Then, if you're both up for it, by all means, track this girl down and offer her your home. She may resist at first, but don't let that discourage you. Keep going back every few days until she feels comfortable with you and vice versa. And, especially because of the baby, also try to have a Plan B, somewhere you can direct her to if she decides it's not working with you. Homeless people often get antsy if they stay too long in one place and that may happen with her, no matter how well you provide for her.
Sorry for rambling on like this, but I thought it might be helpful to pass on a few things I picked up through the years. I'm praying for you, K, the girl, and her child, and I know everything will work out for the best of all.
Tim,
Thank you for very sound and heart-felt advice that didn't ramble at all. I am thinking very carefully about this, and I haven't really implemented a plan of action as of yet.
I know that I must move soon, for the baby's sake.
Have I thanked you for following my blog? I don't think so. 'Cause if I had, I would have noticed on your profile that you lived in Eagle River, where two of my best-est friends ever live. You don't happen to know Steve and Joey Brown, do you? That would make this world way too small.
Glad I popped by and will visit again
Hey, The7MSN;
I'm afaid that I haven't met The Brown's as of yet. I'm sorry to say that it's because I've become quite introverted since moving to Alaska. I'm not sure why; because that is so not me, but after almost three years, I still feel out of place here.
I'm working on it though; and I do agree that it is a small world, indeed! I would love to meet them, however 'cause if they are a friend of your's; I'm sure they are great folks!
Have a good week.
Vik.
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