World Refugee Day

Yesterday was world refugee day. I probably would have never known this except a friend of ours, Sara, worked for USCRI - the US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants here in Albany, and came up from NYC for the event. It was held in Washington Park and consisted of refugees, some in native dress, dancing, food & soccer. Many of the refugees are familiar faces to me because they work at AMC, some of them in the cafe. Jason knows many more than me because he helps place them in jobs. He was something of a local celebrity at the park, and it was fun, everyone introducing us to their children and just meeting some of them on a more personal level.

One of the girls we play soccer with, Caitlin, came to the park for a pickup game with the refugees ... and she started telling me how she works with women dealing with domestic violence, helping them through the court process. And at some point it made me stop and reflect, hanging out with these two women who have these very important, amazing jobs and are so passionate about what they do. It made me sort of upset at myself because I remember a time, not that far gone, when I used to be filled with the same passion and idealism, when I used to feel like I would go out and save the world. And I wonder how I got so complacent, at what point that ceased to be a priority for me. Their jobs are a fundamental part of their life, their whole focus is wrapped up in what they do, while I can't stand to think about my job outside of work. What is wrong with this picture? Their jobs are all about helping people deal with life & get through life, while I deal with these same people - refugees, DM victims - and my job is to discipline them when they can't make it to work, to terminate them if the obstacles in their lives prevent them from being productive cogs in the machine. It was a real jolt of perspective ...

By the same token it is heartwarming to see people so invested in improving the lives of others. Sara has touched the lives of almost every refugee present yesterday. They still come up to her, one year later, and thank her for helping them. She still remembers each of their names, and now their children's names.