Tha Last Few Years

02.13.09

I'm ok- I'm actually recovering from open heart surgery. I got pneumonia, which went into my blood stream and then caused an infection in my heart.. So they opened me up, cleaned up the infection and here I am 2 weeks later wondering what the hell happened. this is actually the 4th time I've almost died- when i got to the ER my blood pressure was 40/24- so I'm really trying to pay attention. I figure there is something for me to do and I am being shown to get on with it! My big 2 year plan that started in January is to get really healthy and in 2 years go to live in Africa. I worked for years with teens in inpatient psych and ran a boarding school as well, in Ma. I guess its just a natural instinct to know what to say and to have an abundance of compassion and love for people. For most of the last 20 years I went to Art school first and have lived mostly as an artist. I've continued to work with people throughout this time and have worked with elderly people as a caregiver, for the last 2 1/2 years. One of my favorites was a retired engineer who was a pilot in WW2 and Korea. He was wonderful and died after I was with him for 11 months. He had a military funeral that was beautiful. The last person I worked with was this amazing 82 yr old woman, Isabel. She is a peace activist and 30 years ago used to organize sit ins in front of businesses that wouldn't allow black people. She also started a non profit called" Homeward Bound", originally started 30 years ago to help addicts coming out of prison. It has evolved into a 150 bed hospital, treating addicts, homeless people with HIV and others and still works with people coming out of jail. She had a broken hip and says she healed so fast because we laughed so much. She is truly amazing and has become a good friend..

In 1998, i lived in Guatemala off and on for a year, traveling and doing volunteer work. God, i love that place! Several years later my housemate Mindy decided to adopt so i put her in touch with friends there affiliated with an orphanage. 7 months later Luna came home to Dallas. She is the most amazing creature!She turns 7 in April and is just a joy. When she was about 2 they moved to NYC for Mindy's job and the cultural opportunities for Luna. I went too for awhile and was Luna's nanny- we had so much fun!I try to go every year and hang out with Luna. Its so great to watch her grow. They go to Guatemala every couple of years to keep her in touch with where she came from- its a really beautiful country.

I've wanted to go to Africa since i was a teenager, and the desire has only grown over the years. when i see the kids who have no parents and are dying or living with HIV I just can't stand it. I really don't know what i will do for them there but I'll figure it out- even if its just holding their hand and taking care of them. I feel so strongly about his that there. I think i was born to go to Africa!