Yesterday was a heavy one.
We learned that a participant in one of our youth programs died by suicide over the weekend. He was in the program I interviewed for. It is for youth transitioning out of foster care. He was such a kind young man. He always put on a face for everyone, even if he was hurting. His friend in that program explained to us. We got an elder to come in so we could have a little ceremony for him. We wish him the best as he starts his spirit journey
Over the weekend, one of our own participants in my program landed himself in the hospital. He attempted suicide. My kids are ages 8-12. He is only 9. We kept this news to ourselves. He was supposed to come to the office for his first day in the program.
I texted my coordinator when I got home to remind him that we have a pediatrician who can help get these kids the help they need.
It was raining all day. It was very melancholy at the office. I resumed the episode of The Reservation Dogs that I watched on my lunch break. It was the suicide episode. Amber saw me pull out my hand drum. She sent me a pdf copy of the lyrics to a bunch of traditional songs. The youth manager came through with that as well. Then she taught me one of the songs. The whole office got in on it. It was a nice moment. It was just the bear song. Then she the Wendigo song. So did the Elder at the ceremony. It is the backwards song. The lyrics are mean, but only because it is backwards.
I was in a lot of pain today. My cheat meal from Saturday caught up with me. It was like a hangover. I felt it immediately when I woke up. I was sluggish all day. Today I feel a lot better. I just hope the headache stays away. I am going to do a community walk, and then I have a one-on-one with one of our newest participants. It is his first one-on-one time with a mentor. The kids like it as they don’t get quality time with anyone at home. This is when they open their little hearts out to us.
Anyway, on with the day then.
Loading comments...