The Best Job I've Had

The best job I've had is actually the only job I've had (at least a job that I'm paid to do). I have been a sign language interpreter for 40 years. << That is such a crazy sentence to write! 

The places and environments where I've done this work have changed throughout the years. From community work to working for state government, back to community and then video relay work. Relay work is where I am right now. There are things about each environment that I loved. I've learned new things in each space. Grown. Made mistakes. Learned from the best of the best in each new environment. 

Community work built a love for the Deaf community and their language that has enriched my life in profound ways. Working for state government gave me a boss that I still think of almost every week, some 35 years after leaving that space. He taught me so much about dedication to community. Relay work has allowed me to witness a growth within this community that new technology has allowed. Needed and vital jobs that would likely not exist without it, families connected in new and deeper ways, independence and privacy that used to be so much harder to obtain. 

I cannot imagine a trajectory that would have me doing anything else. The Deaf community and the community of interpreters that I work with and for have enriched my life in beautiful ways.

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As a relevant-for-our-current-times aside, every one of these jobs has shown me the beauty, dedication and value to community that can be generated from well run programs within government and government contracts. The rewards I've seen for families that in turn enriched our society as a whole, have made it that much more crushing to watch the way programs have been slashed without inquiry or concern for the devastating ripple effects they will create for thousands of futures. The ways I've seen for-profit companies change the trajectory of a mission in negative ways has taught me the value of work that is not meant to make a buck, but instead to enrich our communities. I'm afraid we're losing this value as a society and I mourn this loss for all of us.

The Book That Had a Big Impact on You

Sorry, I can't do just one. You should've seen that coming. 😊

Spiritual: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I've read it more times than I can remember over the last 20 years. Reading again this year and it is fresh and important every time. 

Searching For Sunday by Rachel Held Evans. The first of her books I read. I've since read all of her books, but this hit at a particularly painful season.

Anything by Brian Zahnd.

Racial Justice: So. Many. But the book that began my serious study was The New Jim Crow. The history in that book shattered my protected white perspective and began a journey I am still on. 

History: The Color of Law and Jesus and John Wayne. Each of these gave a history of our country and the white evangelical church that I definitely never learned at school or in church.

Fiction: Just can't narrow. I'll list a few authors that never disappoint: Michael Phillips, Fredrik Backman, Jodi Picoult, Kristen Hannah, Wendell Berry. If I don't know what to read next, I can always go back to them.

I was a reader from a very early age and have always lost myself in the covers of a good story. For a few years in the thick of raising kids, especially teenagers, I found it difficult to concentrate enough to even finish a book. But I missed it and began a journey to become a deep reader again. Little by little, I found my groove again. A comfy chair with a hot cup of tea and a good book is just about my favorite space in the world. And in the last few years, it's also become a place for learning and growth as much as escape.

Let's read books instead of banning them. 

Best Advice You've Ever Received

"You are not your husband's Holy Spirit."

We were newly married when I heard a woman say this. I have tried to take this to heart. And not just with my husband, but with everyone. As I've mentioned before, Enneagram One here. At our unhealthiest, we're prone to being somewhat judgmental and critical -- of ourselves, first and foremost, but also, unfortunately, of others. It has taken me the better part of my lifetime to quiet that voice. And let God's job be God's job. He will do the job much better anyway. "It's the kindness of God that leads us to repentance," after all.

Everyone is on their own journey. Yours is not mine. Now, let me be very clear: allowing someone to go on their own journey may require some hard boundaries. Letting them figure it out does not mean we have to tolerate bad behavior or that we never have to speak out when others (including ourselves) are being harmed. It does not mean it is my job to save them from the consequences of their words or behavior. 

It does mean that I am not responsible for their change. I do not have to come up with the perfect, "Gotcha," to make them see the error of their ways. I do not have to constantly strive to figure out what *I* need to do so *they* will finally see the light. I am not responsible for anyone else's choices.

God is God. I am not.

Something I'm Looking Forward To

I mentioned a few days ago that when the world shut down with COVID we used our Scotland trip savings to purchase our camper. We have not regretted that decision for one second. I would say that given that decision, the long-term goal we're looking forward to is finally getting that trip to Scotland. No date set yet - but we can't wait until that comes!

In the short term, our lives have narrowed down to a pretty simple lifestyle right now. We are working toward building up a private practice consulting business for Brian and that takes most of our focus. We look for simpler, shorter-term ways to get away, to enjoy the outdoor hobbies we both enjoy. I always look forward to time with our kids and grandkids. And any opportunity to sit on the patio with a glass of wine and good friends is pure joy. So --Scotland is on the out-there horizon, but in the meantime, looking forward to friends, family and the great outdoors are not a bad way to pass the time.

The Most Important Lesson You've Learned

Learning the value of remaining humble and teachable is probably the most important lesson I have learned. I grew up firmly believing that what I was taught - in school, in church, in my community and culture - was fully right and correct. If it was not, they would not teach it, right? It was simply my job to learn it. And learn it well. And I did.

This belief crashed down around me a few years ago and left me in a bit of a wilderness for a while. The details of that would be for another time and post, but suffice to say, the rebuilding has left me in a much better place. What I've learned is that I will always have much to learn. I have learned that the best places to learn much of this is from those being oppressed and marginalized. History is often written by the victors. Start humble. Keep learning and keep learning from those we tend to overlook.

Your Favorite Trip

My most common answer to this question is, "the last one." I love to travel. I love the experiences of new foods, new cultures, learning the history of a new place. I love the outdoors, so exploring the great outdoors in new places is always a joy. I love traveling with Brian. He is the. best. person to have around when planning a vacation. He literally does everything. I pack my clothes and get in the car. 

We've been to London, to the Dominican Republic, to Costa Rica and each was glorious in it's own way. We've been to Colorado many times, to the Pacific Northwest, to Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, to Florida, to Arkansas and New Mexico. When the pandemic shut the world down, we used our Ireland savings to buy a camper and have enjoyed *almost* every place camping has taken us. (And we're still looking forward to a trip back to the UK at some point.) We've been with our kids when they were still at home, with friends and all our kids (can you say w.i.l.d.?), with friends and no kids, and in recent years, lots of trips are just the two of us. I've loved them all.

One of my very favorite, though one of our simplest trips, was a road trip through Colorado and New Mexico. Brian planned the whole thing, with us staying in private, non-chain motels each night (and one night of car camping) and eating either from our car and an ice chest or in non-chain, local restaurants. We hiked many miles, climbed the Manitou Incline, explored Taos Earthships, sat very still while deer wandered into our campsite. It was simple and peaceful. Even though we covered a lot of miles, it never felt rushed. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I recognize it was all that it was because of the work Brian did beforehand to plan it so well and I will never not appreciate him. 

I can pack a bag in record time, so I'm just sitting at the ready for the next trip.

People in Your Life Who Inspire You

April 12: 

This one is tough to rein in to a manageable word count. There are so many. For the sake of narrowing, I'm going with women on this prompt. And I'm posting the full text on Facebook so I can tag some of them if you'd like to be inspired by them as well. I'll miss someone, but here goes:

Cece Jones-Davis. She is a force to be reckoned with. A fierce defender of marginalized communities. I have learned so much from her regarding death penalty abolition, defending the innocent caught in the crossfire of nation-state wars, racial reconciliation and much more. And she is a powerful preacher and teacher. You know you've been to Church when you have an opportunity to hear her speak. 

Sharon McMahon. She was just as unknown as the rest of us before the pandemic. An excellent teacher, but unknown to most. During the pandemic, stuck at home, she decided to begin talking about history and government in her Instagram space. Her ability to educate, in a nonpartisan way, exploded on the scene. Since then, she has done online courses, raised millions of dollars for teachers, for those effected by natural disaster, to forgive medical debt, and much more. All of it, a few dollars at a time from her followers. She's written an excellent book, has a stellar podcast where I've learned so much. She has shown me that any and all of us can have an impact, big or small, and change at least the part of the world we've been gifted to touch, with our voice and our action.

Rachel Held Evans and Sarah Bessey. Both authors, Rachel passed away six years ago next month, Sarah is still writing and teaching. Both have had a profound impact on my life during a time I was struggling with a multitude of doubts around church and faith. Their books were, and still are, a healing balm. They have pulled me from the proverbial ledge more than once. Read anything they've written.

Shannon Martin. Also an author. Her books have taught me much on loving my neighbor. My real life neighbors with feet-on-ground, practical love. It's too easy to say we love our neighbors and our enemies, but if they do not feel that love or see it or hear it as love, it's not love. 

So many more out there that I certainly don't have the pleasure of one-on-one contact with, but there's a taste. 

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Now a quick list of folks I do have the pleasure of seeing in real life. Some often, others just occasionally: 

Nicole Martin: A force to be reckoned with. She proves to me the value of your voice in a world determined to silence the marginalized. And she is abundantly kind.

Melissa Ford: She'll not be stopped in the arena of making this world a better place for those living unhoused lives. I have no idea when she sleeps, but she keeps me energized to always be looking for practical ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Jamie Zumwalt: The owner of Joe's Addiction, she lives everyday showing us what it looks like to love like Jesus.

Karen Hanscom: She is, quite simply, the kindest person I know. Just watching her move through the world reminds me that we can be fierce AND kind. We do not have to choose. 

There are so many. I am blessed with a community of people, both online and in my real walking around life. Neighbors, friends, colleagues, community partners and a Church that inspire me to say what I believe, what I stand for, what I'm *for,* not just what I'm against, and then to prove it with my actual everyday life. 

I want to close with these three, because they are both an inspiration and a high example of the reason I will not be silent in the things that matter in our world. My daughters, Erin, Grace and Kelly. I know them all well enough to know their fears as well as their joys. And they are fierce mamas, loyal friends, and spectacular wives to my boys. Everyone of them facing their fears, determined to be a part of creating a better world than the one they inherited.