Job

I had a few job interview this week down south, and it was a lot of fun. I interviewed at a place that has in-patient care for people with eating disorders. I am so excited about it!! But I also had some good experiences at my current job yesterday. I took some spanish crisis calls yesterday and was able to help one of the women who called. She called twice. The first time she called I began asking her questions and she wouldn't answer. I asked her if she was in a safe place so that she could tell me about the situation she was in and she said no. She told me she would call later, after I offered to call the police for her. When she called later she spoke to me about her life and how her partner was treating her, that he would tell her she wasn't worth even one peso, that she was a slut, that he wouldn't allow her to look up at anyone when she walks out in public yet he brings other women home, that he hits her and calls her lots of bad names I won't repeat, that he yells at her everyday and tells her how ugly and worthless she is. She was crying, and she asked if that was normal. I had the privilege to tell her that it was not. I told her that she has the right to be respected and that her boyfriend should treat her as if she was his closest friend, and that she was important and worth much much more than that. She was still undecided whether she wanted to leave or not, but I was able to give her information to help her out and I was able to reassure her that she did not need to be afraid to leave, that people here would help her and would support her, etc. She calmed down a lot after that and thanked me many times. I LOVE THIS. This isn't a rare type of phone call, we receive calls like this every day, but I LOVE helping these women realize their worth and how beautiful and important they are. I really love working with people who are at hard points in their life, and helping them realize that it will be OK and that someone really cares about them and will do everything to help them get through. I love giving these women encouragement and building them up. There is nothing better, in my opinion. It makes me cry to think of maybe leaving, because I am just so grateful for the opportunity to help these people who need it. But I am also excited to have the opportunity to help women with eating disorders (if I get the position--part-time). The literature says that most women with eating disorders also have depression and anxiety, and thats what I work with at the shelter, too.  I love being able to look into someone's eyes and give them strength, or even cry with them, and it sounds like I would be able to do this even at the eating disorder place. And so, life will go on.