Forming a Lifelong Bond

In late 2009, I had a chance encounter with a man at a local restaurant while out to lunch with a close friend. I approached him based strictly on his good looks. After a brief introduction, I left him my phone number. He called that night, and from that point on, my life has been forever changed. It turns out that this man is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. In 2009, he had been sober for 6 years. He felt it his duty to pay society back by coming a volunteer at a local homeless shelter that serves women and children who are homeless due to various circumstances.
Initially, I thought to myself, I better steer clear of this man. But being the optimist that I am, I began to interact with him daily. I told him I was a nurse who had worked many years as a Hospice nurse and often worked with the indigent. He asked if I would come and work as a volunteer nurse at the shelter, providing brief health assessments and patient education. I was a little hesitant, but after some persuasion, agreed to operate a trial clinic one night a week.
I was introduced to the Director of Admissions, Maggie, prior to starting. She, herself, had been homeless at one time. Once she was able to rebuild her life, she felt compelled to help others in which she shared common ground with. Prior to becoming a nurse, I was a 16-year-old mother with poor family support. Though I was never homeless, I was hopeless at times, just like these women within the shelter. Soon after meeting with Maggie and sharing my story, we became instant friends and partners, working to do our own small part to help. As noted in our readings this week, it has been said that, “those born with few resources face serious obstacles in their efforts to achieve higher economic and social status” (Harvey & Allard, 2012). Maggie and I are perfect examples of how people can rise above.