I have had the distinct pleasure to work with amazing teachers. There was Marty Combs, Tony Finan, and Beryl Lemon at Priory. Eric Rowe and Alice Hobson at Loyola. There was Judy Winters and Kevin Budd at Nerinx. And there are many, many more I could have listed just as easily. Teaching can be a tough job and the ability to have support at the school is crucial. Victor Hicks was one of my first breakfasts and today it was Heidi.
Here are my signs when I look for a great teacher. (1) Students first, great teachers are always cognizant of putting the students and the needs of the students first. To do this successfully, probably means adding 20 to 30 % additional effort to your daily routine. This includes liking kids, it might seem weird but there are teachers at every school in America who hate kids. At Nerinx, one teacher held court every lunch in the teachers' lounge crabbing about and disparaging her students. That is why I chose to eat in the cafeteria. (2) Understand your subject, be curious about your subject, and continue to learn new things. If you are not a good learner, you cannot be a good teacher. (3) Be there for your colleagues, be ready to help as much as possible, as often as possible. Most teachers are on an island the whole day (their classroom) and occasionally need help in getting off the island, maybe just an emergency bathroom break. (4) Enforce the little, stupid rules of your school. If all teachers do this, a discipline, organized student body is the result. If you refuse to discipline the rules you think are petty, then you are just making your colleague's role harder. (I did not enforce dress code at the all girls' schools, there are problems with an older male pointing out deficiencies. My female colleague's knew this and I continually thanked them for working harder).
Heidi Binggeli fits all of these and more. She was always ready to do more for each and every student she taught. She went the extra mile for her students time and time again. She knew their names, greeted them daily, and then had a classroom that was very conducive to learning from specialized lighting she chose, to many pictures and wall hangings that enhanced the student's learning environment. Heidi loves government and social studies and could talk about them at length and was always doing more to keep up with the changes in our worlds' goverments and leaders. She was just across the hall from me for my first two years, and answered every stupid new guy question with a kindness and a patience that made me want to learn. I could tell from her empathy and compassion for my struggles that she did the very same for her students. This year, she is in a different job, and I am often left wondering what the email I just received means. Heidi is not there to say, "That does not apply to you." which was the answer most of the time at a Tech school.
Heidi used to entertain our lunch group with stories about the tenants on the other side of her flat. Those stories always made me laugh, and it seemed like there was a wacky neighbor story at least once a week. Heidi has her own quirks and likes, but she is the most low maintenance picky person I know. She would want certain things, certain ways, but she always did it with humor and made sure her wants did not impact others. Heidi has taught at schools where students show up without resources at home and often without the guidance that young people need. She has always handled these challenges with a smile or a laugh and made sure her students were well behaved and learning the material.
So, students of mine or students who might be reading this, if you want to be a teacher find yourself at North Tech or South Tech and follow Heidi around for the day. You will learn new things and you will learn how to teach, and all of this will happen because Heidi Binggeli is a really good teacher.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Monday, June 11, 2018
Breakfast 19 -- Mark Macias
“There is,” Howard Thurman, the
Black theologian, said, “something in every one of you that waits and listens
for the sound of the genuine in ourselves,” and it is “the only true guide
you’ll ever have.”
"There are so many noises and competing demands in our lives that many of us never find out who we are. Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in other people." Marian Wright Edelman Commencement address Lewis & Clark College
I gave MWE's book to six seniors a couple of days ago. This is one of the life lessons from the book. Mark Macias has been THE Athletic Trainer at Nerinx Hall for 18 years. So an entire generation of students has heard the sound of the genuine from their trainer. Coaches have come and go, some like Emily Werner are excellent and others did not understand they were there for the athletes and not themselves. But these wonderful athletes always had a constant, Mark was there to cheer them, assess their injuries and plan their rehab, and was always a pleasant smile and a kind word to good kids in a stressful situation. There are other people on this breakfast list who are kind and genuine, and Mark is one of them. He has always been friendly, I cannot remember a single occurrence where he was not there, always ready to be supportive of Nerinx athletes.
Mark is the real deal and I have heard the "sound of the genuine" from him on many occasions. I have seen him handle tears and season ending injuries with compassion and grace. And I have also seen him rush to apply a bandage and tape in less than a minute, so a player could return to the floor or pitch without missing any action. I have probably seen Mark just a handful of times in the past 7 years, but in just those glimpses his eyes would light up, his smile would broaden and he would give me the warmest of welcomes.
Mark and I talked about Gretchen Graf and this year's class of Seniors. He told me that they were one of the best classes he has seen at Nerinx. We talked about the spirit of Kylee and the compassion and caring of Deven. We then shifted to Casey and Blair AND MOLLY and Carolyn Mueller, all young women we watched compete at the highest level and all of them are succeeding even more today as mothers and wives and nurses and carnivore keepers! We agreed we were both blessed at being a small part of the lives of wonderful young women.
During the struggles in my life, Mark was always there telling me how much he enjoyed my coaching style. Today he told me he really liked that I always had a passion for people. His words were like Beyonce telling me I was a good singer, or LeBron telling me I was a good rebounder. Mark Macias is one of the best, kindest, nicest colleague I have ever worked. Kind words and words of appreciation from someone like Mark are gold.
Nerinx Markers, if you are still reading, you should reach out to Mark on Facebook, he still cares and loves every one of you as do I. All of you were wonderful, and you brought such joy to our lives. Maybe only Mark can understand how blessed we are to see skinny little freshmen become the best in their sports by the time they are Seniors.
And to all those student athletes, just one simple piece of advice, you have heard "the sound of the genuine" from your trainer. Use it as a guide to find good friends, loyal colleagues, and kind people.
"There are so many noises and competing demands in our lives that many of us never find out who we are. Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in other people." Marian Wright Edelman Commencement address Lewis & Clark College
I gave MWE's book to six seniors a couple of days ago. This is one of the life lessons from the book. Mark Macias has been THE Athletic Trainer at Nerinx Hall for 18 years. So an entire generation of students has heard the sound of the genuine from their trainer. Coaches have come and go, some like Emily Werner are excellent and others did not understand they were there for the athletes and not themselves. But these wonderful athletes always had a constant, Mark was there to cheer them, assess their injuries and plan their rehab, and was always a pleasant smile and a kind word to good kids in a stressful situation. There are other people on this breakfast list who are kind and genuine, and Mark is one of them. He has always been friendly, I cannot remember a single occurrence where he was not there, always ready to be supportive of Nerinx athletes.
Mark is the real deal and I have heard the "sound of the genuine" from him on many occasions. I have seen him handle tears and season ending injuries with compassion and grace. And I have also seen him rush to apply a bandage and tape in less than a minute, so a player could return to the floor or pitch without missing any action. I have probably seen Mark just a handful of times in the past 7 years, but in just those glimpses his eyes would light up, his smile would broaden and he would give me the warmest of welcomes.
Mark and I talked about Gretchen Graf and this year's class of Seniors. He told me that they were one of the best classes he has seen at Nerinx. We talked about the spirit of Kylee and the compassion and caring of Deven. We then shifted to Casey and Blair AND MOLLY and Carolyn Mueller, all young women we watched compete at the highest level and all of them are succeeding even more today as mothers and wives and nurses and carnivore keepers! We agreed we were both blessed at being a small part of the lives of wonderful young women.
During the struggles in my life, Mark was always there telling me how much he enjoyed my coaching style. Today he told me he really liked that I always had a passion for people. His words were like Beyonce telling me I was a good singer, or LeBron telling me I was a good rebounder. Mark Macias is one of the best, kindest, nicest colleague I have ever worked. Kind words and words of appreciation from someone like Mark are gold.
Nerinx Markers, if you are still reading, you should reach out to Mark on Facebook, he still cares and loves every one of you as do I. All of you were wonderful, and you brought such joy to our lives. Maybe only Mark can understand how blessed we are to see skinny little freshmen become the best in their sports by the time they are Seniors.
And to all those student athletes, just one simple piece of advice, you have heard "the sound of the genuine" from your trainer. Use it as a guide to find good friends, loyal colleagues, and kind people.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Breakfast 18 -- Mary Magee Mindel
Tom and Katie are great brother and a great sister, but since I was born Mary has been in my life. Since we first put "Build Me Up Buttercup:" on her record player, she has been there. They are things that Mary and I share that Tom and Katie simply do not remember. More important, she has always been there with a kind word or a more intelligent take on the situation at hand. When I am sure I am right about the problem at hand, she always has another path that she urges me to consider. When we were very small, Mary and I rode in a old Fairchild prop jet FH-227B to Chicago with my dad on one of his Ozark trips. Let's say the turbulence got the better of my sister as my dad was over the intercom getting everyone to look in our direction. But besides that one time, Mary was always ready and always there to help me. When I was real small, I would lay in Mary's lap and say, "Pasha me Mary, Pasha me." It was little kid talk for pat me. She would do this until I fell asleep. The comfort and love or her touch will be in my memory forever.
So much has happened over the years, Mary was a Marquette Senior while I was a Freshmen and each Sunday night, she would fix dinner for me and then together we would call home. This was because two call home was too expensive. Ha! Ha! Mary also made sure that as a high school Senior I was at Marquette campus when Al McGuire and the boys won the National title in 1977. One time Mary and I called home, (314) 352-1116 and there was no answer, the phone had been disconnected. For about 12 hours we were orphans. (My mother will protest that last sentence.)
Mary married Gary Mindel --their first date was Final Four Saturday and together they have raised two beautiful and loving daughter Caitlin and Kelly. Their son Joseph left us they day he was born. Mary is a wonderful mother and now a wonderful grandmother. I know because I have been loved my Mary longer than anyone in her family. I could tell you, she was an engineer when they were not many women in that field and has accomplished so much in her life. She is always the rock and has her had on the tiller for our family, during our joys and our sadnesses. We have grown from the 6 on Holyoke to 19 now all over. Tom and Katie will agree with me, Mary is who we call when we need help and love in our lives.
We can all accomplish more in our lives with the love of good people. I know my sister will always love me, and always have my back.
"Pasha me Mary, pasha me." My eyes close, my heart is full, and I fall asleep to dream.
So much has happened over the years, Mary was a Marquette Senior while I was a Freshmen and each Sunday night, she would fix dinner for me and then together we would call home. This was because two call home was too expensive. Ha! Ha! Mary also made sure that as a high school Senior I was at Marquette campus when Al McGuire and the boys won the National title in 1977. One time Mary and I called home, (314) 352-1116 and there was no answer, the phone had been disconnected. For about 12 hours we were orphans. (My mother will protest that last sentence.)
Mary married Gary Mindel --their first date was Final Four Saturday and together they have raised two beautiful and loving daughter Caitlin and Kelly. Their son Joseph left us they day he was born. Mary is a wonderful mother and now a wonderful grandmother. I know because I have been loved my Mary longer than anyone in her family. I could tell you, she was an engineer when they were not many women in that field and has accomplished so much in her life. She is always the rock and has her had on the tiller for our family, during our joys and our sadnesses. We have grown from the 6 on Holyoke to 19 now all over. Tom and Katie will agree with me, Mary is who we call when we need help and love in our lives.
We can all accomplish more in our lives with the love of good people. I know my sister will always love me, and always have my back.
"Pasha me Mary, pasha me." My eyes close, my heart is full, and I fall asleep to dream.
Breakfast 17 -- Hannah, Maggie Connelly, Caroline Damico
Breakfast 17 was just a quick 10 or 15 minutes in Hattiesburg as this tired crew was still a long way from home. But really you could argue that we had a 10 hour breakfast as the four of us talked the entire trip. What a conversation, what a remarkable crew of young women (shout out Franc). It was interesting that at least 10 times during the ride home, we actually paused the music playing because we wanted each other to hear what was being said, and truly wanted to listen to each other.
I can see Hannah in just a few years being a leader of young women, I would say I have pretty good instincts here as so many of these girls become better versions of good people each year. Gretchen Graf's words or Deven Klages' leadership or Katie LaVigne's kindness, but if Hannah can be anywhere close to her older peers in the car, Maggie and Caroline, I would think she could accomplish so much. Hannah has her own talents and voice and on several occasions, I turned to Caroline on the way home and said, "a lot of wisdom from the young one." Some where in the 10 hours Hannah told us that her parents had both been in the Peace Corps. All of a sudden her heart and her compassion for others makes more sense. The other thing several of us saw from Hannah this week is what a good friend she is to her classmates.
I am glad that a lot of the Biloxi veterans get together each Saturday, immediately after the trip. I just found this out on the way home. Which makes Maggie's selflessness from last year even more striking. Maggie last year chose to add 5 and a half hours to her trip home just to make one high school student feel a little more comfortable on the way home. She gave up probably one of the funnest nights of the year. This is Maggie--she told us she was a nerd and quiet on her first Biloxi trips, but even on those trips she was a tireless worker and always ready to work hard and sweat. This year Maggie and Caroline were making their own screens for the house on Seal, they got good direction from Mr. Gaffney, but every time I looked up they were working on their own, laughing and cranking out another completed screen. It is such a joy to see young women find their own path and their own talents on this trip. We give them some rope and let them try, yet more that 12 trips later, we are all still amazed at how far they come in a week. It is also great to see them as more than their original niche. Gretchen Graf is so much better than a Basketball or Volleyball star in Biloxi. Maggie has always been one of the smartest students I have taught in more than 20 years, but each Biloxi trip her academic successes seem smaller in context, when I have seen her do so much for others. Not only for the people of the Gulf Coast, but just as important for her sisters in our group.
I acknowledge that I am selfish in that I always pick a smart and capable student for my car. Essentially she runs all of the logistics of the trip while I concentrate on driving. Caroline was more than capable and sits with the very best on this trip who have ridden shotgun. Really shotgun for dozens of cars along the way. Usually I pick someone with a little bit of sass and believe me Caroline more than lived up to that standard also. I know that she is a wonderful person and I also know that I have not even seen her best and that is when she is loving and caring for her family. Every once in a while Caroline talks about some of the big obstacles in her family, but never allows herself a moment of pity. She turns these extraordinary acts of love and sacrifice into ordinary parts of her week. She even tried to jump out of the picture, because she wanted Hannah and Maggie to have their own breakfast.
10 hour drives are a little tough and grueling and each time I get out at the gas stations my old bones feel like they have never moved before. But if you told me 5 minutes after the 10 hours was over that I had to done another 10 hours with this trio, I would have paid you for the opportunity.
I can see Hannah in just a few years being a leader of young women, I would say I have pretty good instincts here as so many of these girls become better versions of good people each year. Gretchen Graf's words or Deven Klages' leadership or Katie LaVigne's kindness, but if Hannah can be anywhere close to her older peers in the car, Maggie and Caroline, I would think she could accomplish so much. Hannah has her own talents and voice and on several occasions, I turned to Caroline on the way home and said, "a lot of wisdom from the young one." Some where in the 10 hours Hannah told us that her parents had both been in the Peace Corps. All of a sudden her heart and her compassion for others makes more sense. The other thing several of us saw from Hannah this week is what a good friend she is to her classmates.
I am glad that a lot of the Biloxi veterans get together each Saturday, immediately after the trip. I just found this out on the way home. Which makes Maggie's selflessness from last year even more striking. Maggie last year chose to add 5 and a half hours to her trip home just to make one high school student feel a little more comfortable on the way home. She gave up probably one of the funnest nights of the year. This is Maggie--she told us she was a nerd and quiet on her first Biloxi trips, but even on those trips she was a tireless worker and always ready to work hard and sweat. This year Maggie and Caroline were making their own screens for the house on Seal, they got good direction from Mr. Gaffney, but every time I looked up they were working on their own, laughing and cranking out another completed screen. It is such a joy to see young women find their own path and their own talents on this trip. We give them some rope and let them try, yet more that 12 trips later, we are all still amazed at how far they come in a week. It is also great to see them as more than their original niche. Gretchen Graf is so much better than a Basketball or Volleyball star in Biloxi. Maggie has always been one of the smartest students I have taught in more than 20 years, but each Biloxi trip her academic successes seem smaller in context, when I have seen her do so much for others. Not only for the people of the Gulf Coast, but just as important for her sisters in our group.
I acknowledge that I am selfish in that I always pick a smart and capable student for my car. Essentially she runs all of the logistics of the trip while I concentrate on driving. Caroline was more than capable and sits with the very best on this trip who have ridden shotgun. Really shotgun for dozens of cars along the way. Usually I pick someone with a little bit of sass and believe me Caroline more than lived up to that standard also. I know that she is a wonderful person and I also know that I have not even seen her best and that is when she is loving and caring for her family. Every once in a while Caroline talks about some of the big obstacles in her family, but never allows herself a moment of pity. She turns these extraordinary acts of love and sacrifice into ordinary parts of her week. She even tried to jump out of the picture, because she wanted Hannah and Maggie to have their own breakfast.
10 hour drives are a little tough and grueling and each time I get out at the gas stations my old bones feel like they have never moved before. But if you told me 5 minutes after the 10 hours was over that I had to done another 10 hours with this trio, I would have paid you for the opportunity.
Breakfast 16 -- Kenny Washington
I asked Kenny how long he has been at Back Bay Mission. He told me he has been there 8 years, that seems so strange, because I do not ever remember him not being there. Kenny is another guy who has been doing everything he can 52 weeks a year to help those on the margins. I took Kenny to a Cardinals game this year as he was in St. Louis to attend a poverty conference. As I work with Richie LaPlume and Grechen Shipp and all the great people at DePaul USA, am I encouraged that more and more good people across the country are getting together to share ideas about how to help those whose burdens are a little more than they can carry.
At every board meeting, I would actively seek out Kenny to have a conversation about what he is doing and we would invariably tangent off to MIZZOU in the SEC, or the Cardinals. One of my favorite Cards games of all time was our comeback versus Kershaw in the playoffs. The whole board was together socializing and the Cards quickly fell behind and good friends started consoling me about the inevitable loss, then that great comeback. Come to think of it, I was with the Back Bay Board at Shaggy's for the controversial infield fly call against Atlanta.
At one board meeting, the crowd started slowly turning in for the night and it ended up with just Kenny and Roxanne and myself talking about the homeless. It was eye opening to hear the stories of hope and heartbreak for the homeless. Just simply amazing stories about resilience and loss, some tales of perseverance, and some tales of battle lost. What I got from Roxanne and especially Kenny that night was how much they knew and cared about each of these people as individuals. They knew names, the knew the individual needs, and strengths, but it was in this conversation that I was so impressed with their work ethic, their heart, and their compassion. It takes a special kind of person to wake up and tilt at windmills for the sake of others.
This year, we had 38 great people perform magnificently for one week, building, painting, feeding, and caring. They know how proud of them I am. Kenny does this for 52 weeks every year, you can probably guess how proud of him I am.
At every board meeting, I would actively seek out Kenny to have a conversation about what he is doing and we would invariably tangent off to MIZZOU in the SEC, or the Cardinals. One of my favorite Cards games of all time was our comeback versus Kershaw in the playoffs. The whole board was together socializing and the Cards quickly fell behind and good friends started consoling me about the inevitable loss, then that great comeback. Come to think of it, I was with the Back Bay Board at Shaggy's for the controversial infield fly call against Atlanta.
At one board meeting, the crowd started slowly turning in for the night and it ended up with just Kenny and Roxanne and myself talking about the homeless. It was eye opening to hear the stories of hope and heartbreak for the homeless. Just simply amazing stories about resilience and loss, some tales of perseverance, and some tales of battle lost. What I got from Roxanne and especially Kenny that night was how much they knew and cared about each of these people as individuals. They knew names, the knew the individual needs, and strengths, but it was in this conversation that I was so impressed with their work ethic, their heart, and their compassion. It takes a special kind of person to wake up and tilt at windmills for the sake of others.
This year, we had 38 great people perform magnificently for one week, building, painting, feeding, and caring. They know how proud of them I am. Kenny does this for 52 weeks every year, you can probably guess how proud of him I am.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Breakfasts 15 -- Shelby Kuehner and Bethany Christo
Today Breakfast was extended, about a 2 hour breakfast. Or a 10 minute stop tucked into a two hour drive to New Orleans. I got up at 5:45 a.m. today and decided 10 minutes of snooze was better than a shower. It turns out I would be wrong. I told Shelby aka Snorkie aka Snorks on the trip that she was a key cog in this trip because she was affable.
I thought my use was correct, but I googled it. Here are the synonyms :
I thought my use was correct, but I googled it. Here are the synonyms :
| friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindly, kind, courteous, civil, gracious, approachable, accessible, amenable, sociable, hail-fellow-well-met, outgoing, gregarious, neighborly Every single one of these 30 plus words describes Shelby. She is the perfect laugh and smile in a group of 40. I cannot recall every talking with Shelby when she did not laugh or smile at the end of our conversation. A perfect combination of her parents, and a true asset to what we try to do here. We talk to the students about how if we cannot build community within our own small group than we cannot build that community and that kinship for the others. Shelby found a way to talk to each of the 15 new students here, she did it without fanfare or a big deal. So I just called Carla over, a first time participant. Carla is a sprite who jumps from person to person with her own spirit and her own joy. I asked a simple question and got a wonderful answer. I asked Carla how she met Shelby, she told me that when she first when to Mr. Milford's house for a construction meeting she got lost. Waiting for her in the driveway was Snorks. Carla walked up and said, "I'm sorry I got lost." Shelby replied, "Don't worry we all get lost sometimes." and then the two of them walked to the backyard of an affable man...... warm, pleasant, nice, likable The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker. Helen Keller Bethany Chriso has heard the stories about Biloxi, mostly from her good friend Shelby, she might have heard a story or two from Hayley also. But she decided that this year she would be going. It is tough for the young professionals on this trip to take time off from work, especially when their vacation is often so limited, but Bethany found a way for this to work, even though she could not make the whole week. Bethany was always there with the right tool or a kind word. The high school students really liked the way that she stayed with them last night and just spend time listening to their words and responding with a simple friendship. A student told me that Bethany approached each conversation like they had been good friends for years, not strangers who had only known each other for hours. Bethany is small of stature, and when looking over the group would sometimes get lost amongst the high schoolers. In the car ride to New Orleans her words and her compassion were not lost. She stood up and made very good points about our group and who we were. Her words really made me think and reflect. I also believe that Bethany lived the Back Bay spirit, and grew on this trip. It is the first time, we had a first timer of her age and intellect. It was great to see this trip through her eyes. I know the high school students were very appreciative of her kindness and her friendship. |
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Breakfast 14 -- Craig Steenkamp
Sam and Megan are a constant on the Biloxi trip, they lead it with their hard work and our mentors to the whole group. It is hard to believe, but they were not on the first two trips. It seems like they were always here, same with Craig Steenkamp. I loved Rev. Don Morgan and how he would have us practice spirituals in the middle of the week, but Craig and I hit it off right away. Sam has always been Mom to Craig. But let's be real clear, all of us from St. Louis come down here and do some great work...but then we spend 51 weeks doing something else. I believe to be the best you can be your feet have to be in the right location. Craig has had his feet in the right place for the last 11 years. He could be doing work for a lot more money and being living a much different life, but he has chosen to place his feet directly in the homes of the marginalized.
Working within a budget to help people that are lined up two years in advance is a demanding, stressful time. And he does not spend much time celebrating over the successes in the Construction Rehab program, because he is already gearing up for the next home and more importantly the next family. Craig remembers all of the stories in all of the projects. We come back a year later, and I immediately ask him about the homes we worked on a year ago, he knows all of their stories, some great stories about how people gain back their dignity and their pride. But there are also plenty of stories about real people whose burdens have increased and whose luck still has not gotten any better.
"For no amount of screaming at the powers to be to change things will change them... The powers bent on waging war against the poor and the young and the "other" will only be moved to kinship when they observe it. Only when we can see a community where the outcast is valued and appreciated will we abandon the values that seek to exclude." Father Boyle's words jump of the page after midnight in Biloxi. Maggie, Gretchen, Kylee, and Caroline are living the community in front of my eyes, and all of them in these first three days have reached out to listen to and give dignity to the outcast. Craig gives all of the work campers that vision. There are 15 new people down here have seen those on the outside through the eyes of people that love them, they see much more commonality and community in these strangers then they ever thought they could.
As that community and that kinship of week long work campers grows, it is Craig once again whose feet stay in this community and give each new client that outstretched arm to pull them into the bigger circle, and each act of reaching out helps wipe away just a bit of those margins between us and them.
My good friend, Craig and I had breakfast this morning. Now that my board term has ended, I see him for just one week a year, but we bond like old college chums. How can this happen so fast? Maggie and Kylee and Gretchen are working on a puzzle, they have not seen each other in a year, but they are laughing like besties. Each day in Biloxi, they practice their compassion, their caring and their kindness. All the qualities that make good friends.
I think about the homeless, homeless veterans, great people with medical bills, single mothers and all the others we have built, tore down, painted and caulked for. It is a joy to see them again and to see that sometimes a freshly painted house can be the right help at the right time. It brings a smile to me, that all those people have one common treasure -- they have Craig as their friend.
Working within a budget to help people that are lined up two years in advance is a demanding, stressful time. And he does not spend much time celebrating over the successes in the Construction Rehab program, because he is already gearing up for the next home and more importantly the next family. Craig remembers all of the stories in all of the projects. We come back a year later, and I immediately ask him about the homes we worked on a year ago, he knows all of their stories, some great stories about how people gain back their dignity and their pride. But there are also plenty of stories about real people whose burdens have increased and whose luck still has not gotten any better.
"For no amount of screaming at the powers to be to change things will change them... The powers bent on waging war against the poor and the young and the "other" will only be moved to kinship when they observe it. Only when we can see a community where the outcast is valued and appreciated will we abandon the values that seek to exclude." Father Boyle's words jump of the page after midnight in Biloxi. Maggie, Gretchen, Kylee, and Caroline are living the community in front of my eyes, and all of them in these first three days have reached out to listen to and give dignity to the outcast. Craig gives all of the work campers that vision. There are 15 new people down here have seen those on the outside through the eyes of people that love them, they see much more commonality and community in these strangers then they ever thought they could.
As that community and that kinship of week long work campers grows, it is Craig once again whose feet stay in this community and give each new client that outstretched arm to pull them into the bigger circle, and each act of reaching out helps wipe away just a bit of those margins between us and them.
My good friend, Craig and I had breakfast this morning. Now that my board term has ended, I see him for just one week a year, but we bond like old college chums. How can this happen so fast? Maggie and Kylee and Gretchen are working on a puzzle, they have not seen each other in a year, but they are laughing like besties. Each day in Biloxi, they practice their compassion, their caring and their kindness. All the qualities that make good friends.
I think about the homeless, homeless veterans, great people with medical bills, single mothers and all the others we have built, tore down, painted and caulked for. It is a joy to see them again and to see that sometimes a freshly painted house can be the right help at the right time. It brings a smile to me, that all those people have one common treasure -- they have Craig as their friend.
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