In Part 1, I discussed how at least 25% of all social workers, therapists and other helping professionals come from a past with at least some dysfunction. After discussing this percentage with colleagues who have, like me, been in the field for decades, we speculated that percentage might be higher than is actually reported. But … Continue reading From Calf to Camel (Part 2)
Heaven has a new Angel
For those that follow my blog regularly, I recently posted about one of the sweetest, most loyal, and loving member of my family: Juno. Without warning, and in a very short window, Juno began seizing yesterday. By the time I got her in my car in to the vet, it was too late. Just the … Continue reading Heaven has a new Angel
The Journey from Calf to Camel
The is the story of Karen. Karen was a Social Worker. Karen was a Trauma Professional. Karen helped families and children find physical and mental well-being, work through crisis and find permanence. And, like almost one quarter of all social workers, therapists and such...Karen was a child from a dysfunctional family. Her parents, Rick and … Continue reading The Journey from Calf to Camel
Who is Worthy?
I remember Bea. She sat quietly in my office with her head bowed, pretending to read Anne of Green Gables, which she had plucked off of my shelf. The pretense, obvious from the lack of page turning, was just another tool in her arsenal for keeping me at arm's length. We waited, that evening, for … Continue reading Who is Worthy?
Old Dogs
Juno Tanveer. The grand ole dame, who runs the household and owns my heart, turned 14 this month. As cliché as it may sound, it seems only yesterday she was chewing the furniture, chasing her ball for hours and eating me out of house and home. We used to go to the field outside of … Continue reading Old Dogs
Happy New Year!
The King is dead! Long live the queen! Good bye 2020. So long! I cannot tell you, with adequately evil adjectives, how much I am glad to watch you leave. Even in your leaving, you had to make a big noise of a storm to huff and puff your way to extinction. You will be … Continue reading Happy New Year!
Preaching to the Mirror
The idea for the blog, " Water for Camels" came from my desire to encourage and help other social workers navigate a difficult and emotionally draining career choice. All professionals who face secondary trauma day in and day out (social workers, counselors, therapists, and others) in my opinion, do so because of their drive to … Continue reading Preaching to the Mirror
The One for Whom I am Most Thankful
Cleaning the garage, the most odious of tasks, ranks highly on my list of things I try to avoid at all costs. How one large area can accumulate so much "stuff" is beyond me. Things that were "must-haves" now sit in the corner, covered with dust with the other "what was I thinking?" pile. Yet, … Continue reading The One for Whom I am Most Thankful
The Night the Lights Went Out
Last night, as is my custom, I watched the ten o'clock news before retiring to bed. The weathermen seemed to be all astir as they related to the viewers that yet another hurricane had dragged itself out of the Gulf. The demon wind maker was, as they spoke, speeding malevolently from Louisiana northward. I smiled … Continue reading The Night the Lights Went Out
Inhuman Nature
Last month, I attended a well-check cardiology appointment. Current COVID requirements mandate that each patient stand in line (divided by 6 feet) until their vitals are checked to ensure they are not transporting this vile disease to other cardiac patients. While waiting to be checked in by two young nurses, I felt invisible. They barely … Continue reading Inhuman Nature