The outpouring of love and support has been just as amazing as my new financial security. I'm trying to respond to everyone who donated or emailed me . This is over 500 people, because we totally crowdsourced this, just like we're going to crowdsource all of the other things we plan to change in the future. I heard from people all over the United States and even overseas. I heard from elderly folks and teenagers and homeless mothers with small children, gay people, trans people, people of color, recent immigrants, military people, at least one judge, and many Canadians. The Canadians seem very welcoming. A lot of people recommended their city or state and I thought that was really cool. If you don't feel that way about where you live, then seriously consider moving. Some people have been thinking about doing what I'm doing now, starting a new life in a new place. They wrote to me that my post confirmed what they had been thinking, and now maybe they will look into it. Make lists, I said.
Many of the emails recount the sender's personal poverty story. These are fascinating and heart-wrenching to me, hearing the voices of poverty. The right wing doesn't understand. Our voices need to be heard, and I want to make that happen. I'd like to someday write a book about poverty, and include some of these and other stories. Right now I'm educating myself about the history of poverty policy and research, but it's good to have a better focus for my ideas.
I also have new glasses today, though I ordered those pre-miracle. I decided to give away my few meager belongings to those in need, these being a bike, sewing machine, and furnishings that I got free anyway. As I continue to sort through things, more of my neighbors and friends will get stuff, because I don't want to ship much. People in need are not hard to find around here.
There was some hate mail, not very much. Nobody called me stupid, though. It was hurtful, and seems unnecessary. The word "shame" was used and that is a loaded word and has stayed with me. But I am not ashamed. I tried to contribute in meaningful and valuable ways to my community through my work with kids, but the leadership here purposely kept me from doing it. The didn't want my contributions, and I started to feel worthless.
However, I know that I am a valuable person. I'm warm and approachable and I have counseling gifts that help teenagers at a time when they are making their first important life choices and learning to control their emotions. I'm there for kids for whom I am the single caring adult in their lives. Small children work through traumas with me in a playroom. Even if some of the young people I have worked with over the years may have not gone on to successful corporate careers or whatever (I heard one's a stripper, but if she's happy, paid well, and has benefits, I'm cool), I hope that I was a positive influence. Even if they are street junkies, if they remember that once a counselor lifted them up and told them they were a person of worth, who looked at them with dignity and respect and listened to them, that is enough reason for me to pursue this path. Because it goes on and on. I help one young man who pulls himself out of his drug-fueled criminal behavior and joins Job Corps. He becomes a skilled electrician and eventually opens his own shop and hires some employees. He finds a partner and has or adopts some kids, who go one to become educated and skilled and secure and productive. That's good for everyone, and it's cheap compared to jail.
I'm telling you this because many people told me I was a good writer and that I should try to write professionally. I will always write because I can't not, but this is the first time I've had readers and it's intimidating. I may have a facility with words but I don't really know what I'm doing. I need to learn and become a better writer, but I want to mostly counsel and write a little, like a weekly thing perhaps. Maybe when I am older I will want to write full-time, but right now I very much want to vigorously pursue a counseling job while continuing to write about my experiences or whatever godawful thing happens next in the world.
So when I land in Eugene, I will not be looking for a handout, as one writer proclaimed. I will be looking for ways in which I can contribute to the community there and be an active part of it, to participate and give back. Someone said that South Carolina's loss is Oregon's gain, and now I think that is true, because I don't feel worthless anymore, and much of that is because of the love and support and sincere compliments and advice and tips and contact information and offers of airport rides and so forth.
Stay tuned for more updates! I am so grateful to everyone for how they have radically transformed my life, and by extension, the lives of others.