I met with someone yesterday whose friends called me saying she was in trouble. Homeless, confused...wandering. Would I meet with her? Of course I would...
For a little over ten years I ran a domestic violence/sexual assault service agency in this area. Before that I ran HIV/AIDS organizations...was a community service director for Planned Parenthood and ran a disability agency. I know services. I know crisis intervention. But above all else ... I know I am a good witness to what someone else has experienced.
I am even a better witness now because of my life experiences the last five years. My own very bad Lifetime Movie. With post traumatic stress, love, betrayal, abandonment...it was a bad movie script that just kept unfolding. It's been like living in a blender...first set on blend...then whip...then crush. FYI: " Blended not stirred" is only a good idea for James Bond's martini's...not ones life by the way.
I spent 2 1/2 hours yesterday talking with the woman I was called about. I listened. Attempted to help her frame the issues in a way she may be able to understand. I sat quietly and let her tell her story from her point of view. It was exhausting and only she knows if it was helpful. We are scheduled to meet again.
When I left I kept thinking after everything I went through that could have been me...tomorrow I will tell you why it wasn't.
