Today, after a month of hanging around the rehab, talking, helping out, I finally felt accepted in the group of women! After all the preliminary information gathering, the next step in my learning curve is to hear detailed stories and thoughts of the addicts, first-hand. Before today, I had had conversations with a few of the women which I'd rather call interviews or small talk, than conversations. All I had been getting anyway were mechanical, half hearted or untruthful stories.
I understand that I am quite an outsider for these women: a non-addict, healthy, well-dressed, well-to-do, well educated and, happy. What do I have for them? They do not need another person learning about them, making case studies and then preaching them about something they know so much more about!
After days of patient bracelet making (as a part of constructive work therapy with the gang), listening, singing and infinite small-talking, today, after one month, the women finally asked me my name. Yes, my name after one month of seeing me, talking to me, teaching me bracelet making.
We talked about love and men, how men are idiots and how we are idiots for letting them hurt us. They were glad to know that I had had 'affairs' and had some experiential backing for the things I said! Men who hurt us, united us. I'm glad.
All in all, today was a big day for me. I don't feel like an outsider anymore. I hope this opening will lead to better conversations and relationships in the coming month!
I understand that I am quite an outsider for these women: a non-addict, healthy, well-dressed, well-to-do, well educated and, happy. What do I have for them? They do not need another person learning about them, making case studies and then preaching them about something they know so much more about!
After days of patient bracelet making (as a part of constructive work therapy with the gang), listening, singing and infinite small-talking, today, after one month, the women finally asked me my name. Yes, my name after one month of seeing me, talking to me, teaching me bracelet making.
We talked about love and men, how men are idiots and how we are idiots for letting them hurt us. They were glad to know that I had had 'affairs' and had some experiential backing for the things I said! Men who hurt us, united us. I'm glad.
All in all, today was a big day for me. I don't feel like an outsider anymore. I hope this opening will lead to better conversations and relationships in the coming month!
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