thoughts on our school system's non-policy

I was able to recycle plastic for our school on only one day. Then our maintenance guy must have mentioned something because he was told that his people could no longer put out bags or, so I’m told, even lift bags. Now, I’ll bring in bags and at least collect plastic and aluminum from what kids I can.
It’s less the plastic waste (which IS considerable) that bothers me as much as the hypocrisy we practice when we teach kids that recycling and conservation is important. Our actions show that we really don’t care very much. So I want to do what I can to show by my own actions that I and a few others DO care enough to go through some trouble to recycle.
I get irate over apathy and lack of concern for our planet’s environment. It makes me feel like grabbing a sign and starting a blog/newspaper/TV campaign and complaining. But I think that while it may bring out some concerned citizens, it wouldn’t create any newly concerned citizens. I really am not a charismatic sort of person. The best I could do to transform hearts is to act as a teacher of children, which is something I’m good at.

Good spirits

Recovery seems so much slower these days. But I was reminded about how hard it used to be to step up onto the curb at work (students would help) and so I know I am doing better. Money's still awful, I can't keep up with simple housekeeping, and things keep going downhill for the nation, but I'm in good spirits, probably because I took action toward service to my neighbors.

I wrote an email to other coworkers who I know are concerned about recycling (all three of them). I asked that we might support each other in efforts and I offered to pick up plastic recycling at the end of the day. I have been so sad to see kids who are willing to toss bottles into recycling who have no place to do it. (Not all the kids, but a good portion - more than three.) This looks like a service that I can do.

I'm taking my grandson to Barnes and Noble this afternoon. It's his favorite hangout and I'll be teaching the game of Go, with his help, as part of a fundraiser for our school.

stepping out

I didn't go to work this morning because I woke up with a raging headache and an upset stomach. But that's not what I meant to write about. I'm writing about progress - although staying home sick doesn't seem like much progress. I guess it's a two steps forward, one step back sort of thing.

Because of my recent experience, I've gotten interested in visiting people who are stuck at home, or in the nursing home, or in their minds .... Being a semi-stuck sort of person myself, I haven't run out and gotten things happening very quickly. But yesterday I did an important thing: I stopped by the nursing home. My ankles both hurt dreadfully after a day of work, but I was motivated. Unfortunately the two people I'd hoped to visit were no longer there. But I saw two people I recognized and visited with them. One woman had gone home while I'd been there and was back after a fall that broke her pelvis. She was mighty blue and I commiserated. Another woman had been there for some time making slow progress from a severe stroke. I promised her some fast food on my next visit. I didn't do much and I didn't stay long, but I think my feet actually felt better as I left.

Lesson learned - a person can do some service if they just appear in a needy place and open their eyes and ears. No need to figure it out.

Charity

I've been thinking about sacrificing in giving and the idea reminds me of this powerful and surprising scene at the end of the movie Schindler's List. There is an urgency about the generosity of some people I have known. Perhaps it's because the truly generous know what their love and resources can do, so they withhold very little.

Happy day!

Yesterday was my best day since the accident. For excellent starters I had a SHOWER! Hooray for my excellent CNA (nursing assistant) who was excellently tactful, thorough, patient and kind.

After that I took another WALK on the parallel bars. OK it was really a bunch of hops while supporting myself with my left elbow and right arm. But that is significant progress. Daily exercise is paying off.

A therapist says “EVERYONE progresses” The SORT of progress is what’s important. Significant progress is better than moderate progress.

My roommate’s brother bought me a big jar of kosher dill pickles. A dill pickele is as good a snack as a Three Musketeers’ bar and certainly not as high in sugar. I learned that there is a fridge and a microwave for patients. So if I get another cold I can warm up chicken soup. I’m becoming quite used to my roommate now. It’s nice to have someone to look out for. Since she nods out so often, she keeps me busy using my grabber to pick up pencils and books off the floor and I help the nurses remind her to eat.

Today I’m feeling optimistic about getting back to work in March. I’m dreading having to shop for a car though.

Today was another happy day. Nancy, who has visited before, brought Joyce. Joyce is one of my very favorite people in the world, and I had told Nancy that. Joyce no longer drives and it was especially thoughtful of Nancy to bring her. Among the many wonderful things about Joyce is my experience of her consistent and long term help with the ESL class. She actually started the teaching tradition long before I was involved. Joyce is my service role model.