#grateful #hopeful

November 19, 2018

In 2014 when the Injury Prevention Center of Dallas was celebrating its 20th anniversary, every promotional item I prepared ended with #grateful, #hopeful. It got to be a joke among our staff and colleagues who would playfully raise their fingers to indicate quote marks and say “hash tag grateful, hash tag hopeful.”

I’ve always felt gratitude, but as Thanksgiving 2016 approached, there was little if anything I felt hopeful about. For the past 20 years, November has been a difficult month for me because it signifies a month when I lost several people I loved, including my father, nephew and two good friends. But in spite of the pain of those losses, I had remained hopeful because I believed in the goodness of people living in my country. That belief was shattered in November 2016.

Fortunately, my friends and I have emerged from those deep feelings of despondency, albeit with some lingering skepticism about our country. Buoyed by the resiliency of my friends and an aggressive attempt to find moments of awe, I’m starting to feel hopeful again.

So in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, here are few things I’m grateful for, as well as some things that give me hope.

I’m grateful for a meaningful job, amazing colleagues, and leadership that values our work. I’m grateful to the staff of the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas who have allowed me to be part of their lives for the past 10 years. I’m grateful to the Community Development Services staff that have welcomed me into their fold. I’m grateful for the trust both groups have bestowed upon me.

I’m grateful for the love and understanding of my friends who give me a safe space to feel vulnerable and grow. I’m grateful to Team Texas for inspiring me everyday. I’m grateful to my public health friends across the country. I’m grateful to spend even small amounts of time with all you. I’m grateful to my African American, Hispanic, Native American, LBGTQ, Muslim and Buddhist friends and colleagues who are patient and accepting of me, and who allow me opportunities to listen and learn from them.

I’m grateful for all opportunities to learn how to improve in my job or personally. I’m continuously learning new approaches, proof that you can teach “an old dog new tricks.”

I’m grateful for my health and the health of my family. During the past two years, my mother, stepfather and mother-in-law have had health issues that remind me how fragile life can be. I’m grateful for good health insurance.

I’m grateful for the love of my family, whom I probably disappoint and irritate on a daily basis. Thank you for hanging in there with me.

I’m grateful for another year to watch my incredible daughter, who continues to impress me, navigate her life.

I’m grateful to religious leaders who have spent time with me. I’m grateful for Oak Lawn United Methodist Church for reminding me what real Christian behavior looks like.

I’m grateful to all of the brave women who have come forward to talk about their experiences of sexual harassment and assault. I’m grateful to the men who are listening.

I’m grateful to all of the women (and men) who have been discouraged by the hate perpetrated by our elected officials and ran for office this year with a mission to give voice to those who have been oppressed.

I’m hopeful because many of those people mentioned above were elected, and even those who were not elected, inspired people to get involved.

I’m hopeful about the small steps we are taking at work to listen and learn from our colleagues who have different experiences and viewpoints. Thank you Mighty for giving us the idea. Thank you Jennifer for taking the idea and organizing our “Let’s Connect” lunches.

I’m hopeful when I hear my friend, Courtney, talk about teaching her three young sons about consent. Instead of blaming women for sexual assault, Courtney and her husband are making sure their sons understand consent and are modeling it for them. Thank you Courtney and Andrew.

I’m hopeful that the work that we are doing at Parkland around health equity will ensure that everyone (not just those of privilege) have access to prevention measures such as clean water, healthy food, affordable housing, educational opportunities, and safe places to live, work, learn and play, as well as access to quality health care. Thank you to my friends and colleagues who are further along on the health equity path and have shared what they have learned with me.

Thank you to everyone who has restored my hope and for making me forever #grateful #hopeful.