My Bleeding Heart

Today, I had the great opportunity to go to the Snohomish County Building to show our support in the one-tenth of 1% sales tax legislation. This would generate an estimated $11 million to mental health and chemical dependency organizations and programs in the county. Being that I intern at one of the few treatment centers in this county, you can image how important it was that we - the whole staff and all the residents - were there to support the passage of the tax.

There were many moments when I felt so proud of our community. There were over 200 people there in support and many of the public testimonies were powerful regarding how mental health illnesses and drug programs have personally affected individuals and families. I am happy to say that it PASSED! I am thankful to live in a community where "the people" care so much about their people.

One of the officers that was testifying in support stated a beautiful quote that gave me the chills (you know how words do this to me) and I have been thinking about it all day.

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government
treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children;
those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly;
and those who are in the shadows of life,
the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

- Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey

And just for the record - our treatment center has the highest recovery rate in the WHOLE STATE. I attribute this to the mental health interns. Ok, we can't take all the credit! I am so proud of the work everyone does there. I have had such an incredible year interning here. I feel like I have had years of life experience packed into 11 months.

Seattle Times did a wonderful piece on Evergreen Manor in the Local Section today. Check it out. Thank you my fellow bleeding heart Jenny for the tip at Bunco tonight. I thought it was so thoughtful that you listen enough to realize it was my treatment center you were reading about. That speaks volumes to me about your character.