Hi George!

Your post is of great interest to me. Mauricio is of interest to me. His family is of interest to me. You are of interest to me.

One of the most enlightening books I have read in the past year is called "Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life" written by a particularly inciteful and poetic writer named Gregg Levoy. It took me a good four months to finish because I read it slowly, savoring the passages, writing notes on the pages. It speaks of responding, denying, and answering our Callings.

It is of great interest to me how intertwined our stories are, George. Read on.

I used to live in Mid Wilshire. My police station was the Rampart station. I loved my neighborhood. Colorful, eclectic, different languages, a cacophony of sounds and smells of different foods cooking in closely spaced apartments. Police helicopters, loud music, and sometimes interesting characters in my doorstop. Once I brought home a homeless woman so she could take a shower in my shower. Gave her a sack lunch and my phone number. Told her to call me or come by if she needed anything. And I meant it, too.

I have an 18 year old daughter, Bianca, who was once my neighbor. Her building was next to mine on South Kenmore near 3rd. Her Mom used to verbally abuse her really badly. Since I could not stand it, I befriended the Mom. Eventually the Mom abandoned Bianca to me. She is starting college in a week.

I used to work for a publishing division of Paramount. I loved my work, was a top performer for three of my five years there. Then my first born died at birth, and suddenly all the money and prestige, expense account, none of it mattered.

What matters is kids like Mauricio. Staying in relationship with kids whose lives matter. People who are people first and foremost, and their challenges and diagnoses second. I remember looking into the eyes of that homeless woman. She said, "Excuse me, miss, can you help me?" I remember looking deeply into her sky blue eyes which were sunken in her weather beaten face. I touched her hand and said, "Yes, I will help you."

You have touched Mauricio, his family, and probably many others you are not even aware of touching.

When you heart calls, answer it. When your heart tells you to take a rest. Take a rest.

You make a difference.

With Great Purpose and Passion,

JULIE


Dare to Discover Your Passion!