A Special Christmas Present

On Wednesday I went to see a neurologist in Pittsburgh to hopefully put and end to these incessant headaches. I have a new course of treatment to try, which I am praying works - and fast! At this point, I feel like I’d try just about anything to rid myself of this chronic pain.

On the way home, I stopped by my old workplace to visit some staff and consumers before having coffee with friends. It was wonderful to see some of my old “guys.” Some things have changed so much, and some things will never change. In many ways the visit made me nostalgic, but I also had a sense of peace when I left, because I sincerely felt that, although I miss the people and look fondly on the time in my life when I lived and worked in Pittsburgh, I am glad for where I am right now.

For those of you who don’t know, I worked as a Program Instructor at a day program for mentally challenged adults for 3 years. What a crazy job it was! I have to admit that it could be a very stressful atmosphere (although not quite comparable to FICS reunification), but it could also be the happiest place on earth. However, regardless of how stressful the situations could seem, when I worked at Allegheny East, I laughed every day - a sincere, from the heart laugh. Working with people who have MR can be such rewarding work. They offer us a glimpse into the human psyche. They are people who act solely on raw human emotions, the same emotions that we all have, but theirs are pure, jaded only by the indecencies that “normal” people have imposed upon them.

There are several consumers who hold extra special places in my heart, each for their own unique reasons. One in particular was still at the center when I arrived waiting for her van (like I said, some things never change!). She’s a fantastic example of someone who speaks from her heart. Good or bad, she says exactly what she is thinking and feeling at that moment. She can be loud, brazen, crass and disrespectful on a routine basis, but I have always had a soft spot for her. She can also be the most tender-hearted little woman. She will greet you in the morning (after telling a few people to get the hell out of her way) with a soft rub on the forearm, tilt her head and say “how’r you?” She’s protective of other people, “Don’t touch my sister! You! Outa here!” And she will also tell you exactly where to go when she’s mad at you, “God I hate you! Shut your ****ing face!” Wouldn’t we all love to say those things to some people in our lives??!!

Marsha thinks that she recognized me. I don’t know if she did or not, but she gave me a hug big enough to choke me and a sloppy kiss on the cheek when she saw me. I asked her about Christmas and what Santa was brining her. She replied with “a new watch and a purse” - the same things she has been asking for for the last 8 years (probably longer). When she went over her Christmas list, it brought tears to my eyes. She made me laugh like old times, and she gave me that wonderful glimpse of hopeful innocence again. What a nice gift for me in the midst of the Christmas season, to be assured again in the good of people by my two dear friends who met me at the drop of a hat, despite their own hectic schedules, and by an old friend who, despite her years, retains her inner beauty always. I really hope Santa brings her that purse and watch this year. She’s been waiting so patiently, and I think she deserves them!