When I was 15 and 16, my family lived on the Bayou in Lacombe, Louisiana, across the lake from New Orleans. Besides my human family we had a Irish Setter named Hot Dog (my little brother named him) and two ducks: Fritz and Grits (my dad named them). Living on the water was fun, especially … Continue reading Ole Fish Eyes
Losing my Sister
The Isle of Capri sits off the coast of Italy, about ankle high to the big boot. The Island is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. When we visited, my family had to take a hydrafoil to get there. It is only 4 … Continue reading Losing my Sister
Forming a Tribe
A lesson I learned over 30 years ago still rings true today. We need to belong. We need a tribe. We need others to help us get through the hard things in life. We were not meant to struggle alone. High School is hard. Belonging to a tribe helps us to navigate through, not only … Continue reading Forming a Tribe
Bethioua and the Ugly American
When I was 18 years old I spent the second of two summers in Bethioua, Algeria with my parents. The first summer I enjoyed immensely, but my newly found independence (being 18 and all) coupled with my false sense of entitlement contributed to the disaster that was my second summer. In Bethioua, my parents lived … Continue reading Bethioua and the Ugly American
A Night in Tipaza
My father worked as an overseas contractor for the latter part of my childhood/teen years. He would leave us during the school year, traveling to exotic places like Algeria. The Congo and Cyprus. In the summers, when he got his "R &R" we would meet him in Europe and travel together for a few weeks. … Continue reading A Night in Tipaza
The Parable
Becoming a social worker was not the plan I had for my life. As I have often said, I backed into the career totally blind to the mission of Child Welfare. I might not have ever found my calling had not DHS been the only agency hiring. Graduating college as an English major, my choices … Continue reading The Parable
I have a story to tell: Freida
My name is Freida. I have two children. I tried to put them in foster care because I couldnt protect them. Hell, I couldnt protect myself. This is my story. I learned at a very early age...or let's just say I was taught...that love meant sex...my grandfather and uncles molested me, beginning at the age … Continue reading I have a story to tell: Freida
I have a Story to Tell: Daniel
* I am starting a series of stories crafted through the eyes of people with whom I have met over the last 30 years in Social Work. The purpose of these posts are to highlight the difference a good social worker can make in the lives of others and to remind them (when they are … Continue reading I have a Story to Tell: Daniel
Finding your courage
What are you afraid of? What are your nightmares made of? I have the normal garden variety fears...snakes, spiders, tornados...King Kong (Dont judge me, he was very scary!). But one of my biggest fears involves an insect. The giant grasshopper. I remember one summer vividly, the horrifying images etched into my brain. My family had … Continue reading Finding your courage
Seeking the Sage
Growing up in The 70s, I idolized my big brother, Greg... Much to his chagrin. Although only 2 years older, to me he was the coolest. I wanted to go where he went, be friends with his friends and basically be as cool as he was. We lived in a rural bayou town across the … Continue reading Seeking the Sage
Water for Camels 