Ms. Cheerfulness

Today was my first full day back at work after our new-volunteer orientation. Orientation was fun and informative. Ask me anything you want about CAP. I should be able to give you some sort of answer. On the other hand, don't ask me anything about CPR/First Aid. CAP outsourced the class to a well-meaning instructor, bless his heart, but - well...nevermind. The week was capped off with a very nice commissioning service for us new volunteers and a cook-out at Buckhorn Lake State Park. As much as I enjoyed last week (and some of you know how much I LOVE anything having to do with camps, retreats, nametags, and icebreakers, and teambuilding), I was really ready to get back to the Johnson House and get back into the routine of visiting my participants. I know I'm lucky to have a job I feel this way about. I know not everyone can say that.

But when you have days like the one I had today, you can see why I love my job so much. I spent all day with Ms. Cheerful. That's not her actual name, but Cheerfulness is her middle name - seriously. She usually only gets out once a month to cash her SSI check and buy groceries. She has to pay a neighbor $20 to even do that. I picked "Ms. Cheerful" up early this morning to take her to her doctor's appointment in Hazard. This morning was only my third time visiting her, but as soon as I arrived she handed me a quilt and pillow that she had made and wanted me to have. I graciously accepted, as she wouldn't have had it any other way. Anyways, after her doctor's appointment we went to lunch, did some shopping at a yard sale**, and went to the grocery store and pharmacy. While we were going through the grocery store aisle "Ms. Cheerful " spoke to two people she knew. I heard them address her by something other than her real name. When we got back in the car I asked her about it. She said that they were calling her Cheerful. It's what everyone calls her - because of her middle name, but mostly because of her personality. And boy do I see why...

This woman has been married four times. All of "her men" (as she calls them) were drunks and are now dead. From what it sounds like most all of her children are on drugs and don't treat her very well. But she doesn't seem to hold a grudge against any of them. I think she may be making one too many excuses for the people who have treated her so poorly in her life - or maybe letting them walk over her. She explained to me that she forgives them, loves them, and doesn't treat them any differently just because they treat her poorly because she is a Christian and that is the Christian thing to do. After all, that is the Gospel isn't it? Jesus looks at us like Ms. Cheerful looks at her children and former husbands. She has been through so much - and is facing possibly being diagnosed with cancer. And yet, Ms. Cheerful remains true to her name.


**A side note: yard sales and flea markets are big time in eastern kentucky. today was my first of what i'm sure will be many visits. i bought a wooden beaded purse and two billy blanks work-out DVDs for $3. I'm excited!