I love all of this -- sounds like a wonderful place. I need to come check it out sometime while you're there!
Probably the most surprisingly-satisfying job I've had was as an afterschool tutor with a company called Club Z, back when I lived in Minneapolis over a decade ago. I got to visit low-income families (often immigrants who mainly spoke Spanish or Somali) in their homes and help their kids understand whatever they were struggling with in school. The program allowed me to explain the academic subjects in whatever way I wanted to; I could come up with games, bring books, etc. Sometimes the families would share homemade food with me, or the kids would draw me pictures. It was such a heartwarming way to get to know people I never would have otherwise, and they were getting one-on-one academic attention that they didn't have to pay for, but I was still getting paid well (some kind of public funding made this possible, I imagine). I wish there were more programs like it everywhere.
I remember looking forward to your articles in “The Dallas Morning News” a long time ago. I’m glad I found you again. You are an amazing writer.
This story spoke to my heart on so many levels. My favorite job was as an Occupational Therapist in a psychiatric hospital near Dallas. I loved that job so much I have the same recurrent dream. The dream is I am back at work , but really haven’t been re-hired. I am stealth working in a way. I want to be there so much, but the job no longer exists. I wake up with such longing for the perfect job that lasted 32 wonderful years. Hello Springwood hospital!
I was able to do creative art therapy. Many folks loved to color in adult coloring books. So much healing took place just doing something calming with their hands.
I’m so glad you received healing and grace from your sweet friend’s comment.
Yes! I was there the day of the speech to the ladies who tipped a penny every day, and I ended up temping under one of them 25 years later and went off on her for writing a scathing letter to a steakhouse waitress. I was like, "Argh, now I know where I remember you from!"
I always love your writing but your stories of healing (like this one) are my favorites. I have appreciated all my jobs but never had a perfect fit the way your docent job seems perfect for you at this time. Also, all those jobs took way more from me than they gave and my health has paid that price. I’m sure many people could say the same is true for them as well. I hope to make it to more Final Friday craft meetups, if they are still a thing, and please put me on your crone list.
I'm also reminded -- and I struggled with this for years and so did so many GenX ladies -- we thought we would have Big Ego Jobs that we could maintain. I lost my health trying to hang onto being a magazine editor. My friend who had a big content job in CA moved back here and works 25 hours a week as a technical writer. Both of us have a balance in life we couldn't have imagined.
Oh, Spike, I so needed to read this right now. I am floundering again, not feeling rooted, and trying not to slip back into resentment and grief. I do enjoy my current employment - I appreciate, like you, the routine, the competence I feel just doing my job and nothing more, and I work surrounded by beautiful things. Our customers are friendly and interesting. I just wish the work wasn't in small town Ohio. I miss finding the calm in amongst the hurly burly of a city. I don't know why, but it feels less calming and more BORING to have the calm as the norm. So, I strive to find my sense of place WITHIN and find what feeds that. Thank you for sharing where you are and I am grateful you have found that place.
I love my day job -- I am an hourly admin at the university. I am not allowed to work more hours than I am paid for! I take a lunch break and wander around! It gives space for my writing. I also love being in old houses -- Thomas Wolfe's house in Asheville peaces me out!
I love all of this -- sounds like a wonderful place. I need to come check it out sometime while you're there!
Probably the most surprisingly-satisfying job I've had was as an afterschool tutor with a company called Club Z, back when I lived in Minneapolis over a decade ago. I got to visit low-income families (often immigrants who mainly spoke Spanish or Somali) in their homes and help their kids understand whatever they were struggling with in school. The program allowed me to explain the academic subjects in whatever way I wanted to; I could come up with games, bring books, etc. Sometimes the families would share homemade food with me, or the kids would draw me pictures. It was such a heartwarming way to get to know people I never would have otherwise, and they were getting one-on-one academic attention that they didn't have to pay for, but I was still getting paid well (some kind of public funding made this possible, I imagine). I wish there were more programs like it everywhere.
Dear Spike,
I remember looking forward to your articles in “The Dallas Morning News” a long time ago. I’m glad I found you again. You are an amazing writer.
This story spoke to my heart on so many levels. My favorite job was as an Occupational Therapist in a psychiatric hospital near Dallas. I loved that job so much I have the same recurrent dream. The dream is I am back at work , but really haven’t been re-hired. I am stealth working in a way. I want to be there so much, but the job no longer exists. I wake up with such longing for the perfect job that lasted 32 wonderful years. Hello Springwood hospital!
I was able to do creative art therapy. Many folks loved to color in adult coloring books. So much healing took place just doing something calming with their hands.
I’m so glad you received healing and grace from your sweet friend’s comment.
May healing continue for you.
Yes! I was there the day of the speech to the ladies who tipped a penny every day, and I ended up temping under one of them 25 years later and went off on her for writing a scathing letter to a steakhouse waitress. I was like, "Argh, now I know where I remember you from!"
I always love your writing but your stories of healing (like this one) are my favorites. I have appreciated all my jobs but never had a perfect fit the way your docent job seems perfect for you at this time. Also, all those jobs took way more from me than they gave and my health has paid that price. I’m sure many people could say the same is true for them as well. I hope to make it to more Final Friday craft meetups, if they are still a thing, and please put me on your crone list.
I'm also reminded -- and I struggled with this for years and so did so many GenX ladies -- we thought we would have Big Ego Jobs that we could maintain. I lost my health trying to hang onto being a magazine editor. My friend who had a big content job in CA moved back here and works 25 hours a week as a technical writer. Both of us have a balance in life we couldn't have imagined.
Oh, Spike, I so needed to read this right now. I am floundering again, not feeling rooted, and trying not to slip back into resentment and grief. I do enjoy my current employment - I appreciate, like you, the routine, the competence I feel just doing my job and nothing more, and I work surrounded by beautiful things. Our customers are friendly and interesting. I just wish the work wasn't in small town Ohio. I miss finding the calm in amongst the hurly burly of a city. I don't know why, but it feels less calming and more BORING to have the calm as the norm. So, I strive to find my sense of place WITHIN and find what feeds that. Thank you for sharing where you are and I am grateful you have found that place.
I love my day job -- I am an hourly admin at the university. I am not allowed to work more hours than I am paid for! I take a lunch break and wander around! It gives space for my writing. I also love being in old houses -- Thomas Wolfe's house in Asheville peaces me out!
Heard! Everything from corporate to coloring, amen.