I need a few hugs today

[Giant Robot]

I know I don't post much, and I'm not a great big presence here at DU, so you all may not know much about me, but I need some love and support.

I'm a crisis line counselor here in Michigan. On top of that, I am the volunteer coordinator here too, so all volunteer staff we have, I screen, train and supervise. I look after my volunteers like a mother hen; in fact I refer to them as my kids. Not being snide or anything, I say it with love.

I just trained a group of volunteers to staff the crisis lines. It was a 40 hour training, and to kind of sum that up, it was a very intimate experience for all, since it involves sharing and communicating so much about yourself. One of my volunteers, Peggy, got into a horrible car accident last week. The details I have learned, that I don't wish to share, were horrifying to me on many levels. She had to be flown to another hospital for surgery. On Monday, she passed away.

I'm sad and overwhelmed by that and the senselessness of it. She was younger than I am, bright, eager. I skipped out of work this morning because my allergies were terrible. One of my co-workers called me to tell me. All I could do was sit and say, "I don't know what to say." I sat and watched TV in a state of shock. One of my other volunteers and I had a good cry together when I told her later in the day.

So I'm feeling sad, overwhelmed, scared, confused. There's not much to do but go through this, but I know it would help to get some hugs and love from you folks. Thanks for reading all this. I appreciate you all already.

[AlienGirl]

1. Here's a hug, and thank you for your work

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

2. We're here for you.

:hug: Thank you for doing what you do.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[elshiva]

3. Thank you for your work, blessings and prayers for you and Peggy!

:hug: :hug: :grouphug:

[Cascadian]

5. here ya go!

:hug:


John

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. Of course. I am sorry.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. How horrifying, my dear Giant Robot....

Of course, you're in shock....who wouldn't be? She was like your child...

Be good to yourself...be gentle.

It will take a lot of time to recover from this.....

But you will recover!

:grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug:

[huskerlaw]

7. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

8. That's so sad, GR

It is understandable that you feel the way you do. Thank you for sharing it, and of course, you can have a hug.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Giant Robot]

9. Thank you,

I'm having a good cry right now. Just hoping my last few minutes at work are quiet. And she was like my child in some ways. I do feel very protective of all my volutneers. I'm just doing the best I can right now, and need this from you. Thank you!

[Shine]

10. Oh, Giant Robot. My heart goes to you. I am so sorry to hear this sad news

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Yet another heart-breaking reminder of the ephemeral nature of our lives...and the great Mystery of death.

Be gentle with yourself during this time and remember that bright spirit with love. What is remembered, lives.....

:loveya:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

11. Sorry to hear that.

:pals:

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

12. I just lit three candles...

... one for that young woman and her family...

... one for you, and your volunteer kids...

... one for the folks you serve.

The loss of one diminishes all :grouphug:

[Shell Beau]

13. You sound like a wonderfully kind and caring person!

I am very sorry for your grief! :hug:

[auntAgonist]

14. I don't have much to offer, I'm saddened by your post ...

I'm sorry for your loss. :hug:

[dolo amber]

15. You have my favorite name on DU

And I'm very sorry for your sadness. :(

:hug: