Monday, December 25, 2006

there are no words

as many of you know, or perhaps didn't, i worked for a time with runaway, homeless and at-risk youth before i retired from human services. when i took over my 3 counties out of a 6 county program, we had had maybe 20 kids. by the time i left 2+ years later, we had helped at least 100. there are some kids who stick with you- some who leave an indelible mark on your soul. joe was one of them. he called our hotline and my partner went and picked him up from a tiny hamlet near here where he had been staying with people he barely knew. he had no family to speak of- and couldn't live at home- he had been kicked out. joe was a person. he was smart and funny and he wanted to be someone. he had had to drop out of school but wanted a high school diploma- of that he was sure. joe decided he would go back to high school- although he was behind- and he would finish. and--- he did. joe graduated in 2005 with his high school diploma. joe was 21 years old when he died. i don't know anything- the police are just starting the investigation. all i know is- my heart is sad. sad for a young man who made friends easily and was well liked by all because he was a decent human being. there are not words. rest joe. and know that someone will miss you.

14 comments:

Peacechick Mary said...

Oh, that is sad. I know we aren't supposed to get attached, but it's just not possible to be objective all the time. I'm sorry this happened.

The Future Was Yesterday said...

Also social workers are told and trained "not to let it get personal", I've yet to meet one that hasn't, at one time or another. These are human beings you are working with - not trucks. I'm sorry about Joe. There's way too many "Joe's" in this world.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. This is so sad.

Spadoman said...

Hugs for you Betmo. Sad deal.

Obob said...

one thing about social workers is the incredibley generous soul and a burning passion for quality of life of the people you care for. Our social worker is a hellion and you hear the stories, you realize how good your life is no matter how many petty flat tires you get or spilled glasses of milk.
Just know you meant something to him and he was grateful for your compassion

Sewmouse said...

I'm so sorry Betmo.
There just aren't words...

Sewmouse said...

I'm so sorry Betmo.
There just aren't words...

slcslc said...

betmo, I'm so sorry.

supergirlest said...

oh, betmo - i'm so sorry! there are too many joes. too many. :( hugs to you, through these electric veins. i'm glad that joe had someone (you) to turn to and that he had a chance to see that it all wasn't so hopeless,that he could acheive a dream...

Anonymous said...

so sorry to hear the loss of your friend. you made his life better for the time he was here though.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry.

Mary said...

I am sorry Betmo. I am sorry for Joe.

landsker said...

Somehow, as I get older, I begin to think, that at times, we all have something that makes us just like the "Joes".
Is it luck or judgement that creates social inequities? Or is social poverty a tool of governance?
We all need somebody to help, as we in our turn were, or will be, helped, it`s the nature of life.
May kindness and peace find their way to you, and somehow, to Joe.

Professor Zero said...

I'm glad you 'got attached'.