inspiration

i have so many soul sisters, mothers, women in my life who have lifted me up, shielded me, loved me, pulled me along... I could write so much here...but I wanted to write about my own sister, Ginny, who spends her life helping other people and who inspires me so much.  Ginny works with mentally and emotionally ill people; she has done so her whole adult life.  The first time I ever visited her in her workplace, I felt really truly afraid.  It was lunchtime at the very large "home" she was managing--bigger than a group home, but not an "institution" either--and I had never seen so much pure "difference" in my life.  Difference of the kind that at that time, when I was a teenager, was very difficult to be around--difference that took the form of mental illness.  But Ginny was COMPLETELY at ease, and she treated everyone with love and care and more importantly, respect--to watch her made me feel ashamed that I was even noticing such difference.  The people who were gathered there for lunch LOVED my sister, and she moved among them gracefully, like flowing water.  I learned so much that day.

Since then, Ginny has fought for the rights of mentally ill people, and has struggled to retain funding to support them.  She is devastated when she loses someone in her care, and she lives her commitment to her core.  

More than that, she is the most devoted mother I've seen, loving each one of her children as an individual and seeing them through some intense challenges.  She has loved me through some intense challenges too, and if I was in a jam, I know who I'd call.  When I am really down or lonely or sad, I dial her number, and I feel better after I listen to her.

Ginny, you are beautiful, strong, smart, giving, funny, selfless, and dear.  You are a blessing.  I love you.  I'm dedicating my post to you in Jonti's name, because you too are a survivor, and you too have transcended.