Run for Congo

Last year about this time I got a chance to supervise my unit at work. I knew I really wanted to try something different after doing casework for nearly 6 years at the time. And when my then supervisor announced she was going out on medical leave I was excited to give supervision a try. I really enjoyed it, I was so fortunate to have a wonderful team who was very cohesive and cared about the work that we do everyday. Shortly into my supervisor stint the temp in the unit was hired permanently by another branch. It wasn't a surprise, I had given her a glowing recommendation when her to be supervisor called because I actually support people growing and I knew this was the opportunity for her. So as a result I got to try out hiring. It wasn't really the long drawn out state process, just me and the branch manager sitting down with some people who were interested in temping for the agency. We meant only with two people. The first guy was great but it just wasn't the right fit. Then in comes Ramata. A women I will never forget. She had just recently graduated from the school of social work at PSU and speaks at least 5 languages including English, french and two African dialects. Ramata was born and raised in Africa and her mother grew up in the Congo. But this was not something we covered during the interview but rather something I learned later. The branch manager and I decided that Ramata was the right women for the job. She was bright, articulate and compassionate. I was so excited to call her and invite her to work for me. She was and is an amazing caseworker but want I didn't really know when I hired her was what an incredible friend she would become. She is the type of person who will tell you like it is but is the first person to sing your praises when you are worthy of singing about. I like people with big personalities, just look at my husband Travis and my best friend Took. I am attracted to people who are interesting and make the world a special place because they are here. But that is all for another post. I digress. So after forging this friendship with Ramata she invited me to a fundraiser dinner at her church. I invited Travis along and we awkwardly sat down at our table we are not religious people and we do not typically have social engagements let alone in Northeast Portland. But we were soon joined by a lovely women named Ann Shannon. She started off talking with us about her unfortunate luck of having her purse stolen earlier that day(not in Northeast Portland). But then we got to talking about the Run for Congo. And maybe it is just me but when someone says something once I sometimes pretend like I know what they are talking about but then she brought it up again and so I asked "what is the run for Congo" and so Ann proceeded to tell us about her daughter Laura Shannon and the book that she had written chronicling the plight of the Congolese women. Horrible atrocities which are so unthinkable to the average American women that are common place in the Congo. I knew by the end of our dinner that Ann had been placed at our table for a reason. Travis gave her money for the cause and I knew that I would run in the the Run for Congo. This was such an amazing cause in general but to know someone who's own cultural experience was a part of the Congo made this so meaningful.

I along with my dear friend Took have pledge to run at least one run every month until the end of this year. Last month was the Rum run which was so much fun and my first actual race that I have ever done. But I had such a sense of accomplishment afterwards and I have really enjoyed my run/walks that I have managed to incorporate into my life over the last few months. I never saw myself as a runner. But it has been my solice in a very turbulent time in my life(again a subject for another post that I can't even imagine how I am going to actually write) But running has been what is keeping me grounded and sane I can just put one foot in front of the other and just move forward and it feels so free. So the Run for Congo means so much to me right now and I encourage all of you within range to participate.

http://www.runforcongowomen.org/

and if you can't then donate for an exceptionally worthy cause.

http://www.active.com/donate/RFCWportland2010/THowlet2

Pictures to follow