If These Walls Could Talk

Can I tell you the story about how I happened upon the job I am leaving in 11 (working) days?

I had just moved home from Tennessee with my tail between my legs as my journalism dream job had fallen through. I was living in my brother's spare bedroom and I was blue and bare and lonely and self loathed.What the hell was to become of me. My dog at the time, Ice, was the only one who knew my secrets. And I was always so amazed at how he traveled through all of the upheaval with just the one mission in mind; to bring me comfort.

I went to a local temp agency to find work and the first week I was assigned to Advantage Behavioral Health Systems. They were needing help moving offices and setting up the file room at the new site. I did this, then was assigned to Coke for 1 week to cover for a receptionist who was out on vacation. Then, I was called back to ABHS. The receptionist there was out on sick leave. After a couple months of temping I was offered the Operations Manager position. A new position that had just been created at the agency.

Oh, I am sorry. Advantage Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) is a publicly-funded provider of behavioral health, developmental disability and addictive disease services for Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties. A Community Service Board (CSB) is the governing body for Advantage Behavioral Health Systems and is comprised of members from the counties we serve. According to their web-site anyway. What the place really is is a place where some of the finest human kindness is at play everyday. 

I had never worked in a Mental Health environment; had never really worked much at all in an office setting. But I found a place for me to offer some of my soft skills; good customer service, passion for the underdog;  and they embraced me. So slowly, I didn't feel so blue anymore. Ice and I got a place of our own. And I began to feel like I was of value. Which ironically is what the agency does for their clients.

I think that is why I stayed so long. I had a sense of loyalty to it for being the friend who got down in the hole with me and helped me find the way out.  Not to mention, I have worked with some amazing human beings. Putting their hearts in to another human being in exchange for crappy hours, little pay and rare appreciation. Witnessing first hand fellow worker's capacity for generosity of heart is not a bad way to spend 9 years, 7 months.

My hope is that I don't ever loose that desire to give of myself to support another person; whether they are having a hell of a bad day or not.

Recipe: I am learning to make sweet tea. Can you believe it, 30 years in the South and don't know how to make sweet tea...

Road trip: I took a walk around the place where I work today and heard my heart beat.

Renovations: Happiness is served 24 hours a day as well; you just have to be brave enough to except the invitation.