Life update: New year...new job

It is a dark and cold December morning in SE Wisconsin. Ten white Ford Starcraft F450 shuttles are parked in a pole barn, windshields facing the middle like five cows on each side of a trough. A cautious new driver slowly backs out her shuttle, shifts into park, and takes a photo.

She drives to an out-of-the-way spot to run through her safety checklist. She sets the parking brake, turns on the hazard lights, and taps the switch for the wheelchair ramp. Climbing out, she begins circling the vehicle. Any body damage? Tires inflated? All exterior lights working? As she tests the ramp, she flips up the hood of her winter jacket against the sharp wind from the north.

Back inside, she cranks the heaters to full blast. She pushes the shuttle door button: open/close. She inspects each of the 14 seatbelts. She looks at her iPad to triple check the list of clients to pick up today. Inspired by the glow of the sunrise beyond the east pole barn, she pauses for another photo.

This is St. Coletta of Wisconsin. St. Coletta serves adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They provide residential care, respite care, age- and ability-specific day programs, and opportunities for social interaction such as dances, Special Olympics, cooking classes, and more. They also provide transportation services with a fleet of over 90 vehicles.

That's where I come in. I am a part-time driver on the transportation team. I drive St. Coletta clients who live and work in the Jefferson area, and who need transportation between their apartments, homes or group homes and their day programs or jobs.

The position is a good fit for me. The training was careful and extensive - allowing for an old brain like mine to slowly absorb new information. I was able to shadow other drivers until I felt comfortable with the driving routes and meeting the needs of individual clients. I work mornings, so I start early and finish early - leaving time for sojourns and writing.  I have good health insurance and friendly work mates. And I'm proud of the part I play in this mission-driven organization.

The origin of St. Coletta - as the name would imply - is the Catholic Church. More specifically, St. Coletta is the result of a small but determined convent of nuns in Milwaukee in 1864. Mother Antonia Herb, 5 nuns, and one novice - named the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi-Milwaukee - moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin to serve the Catholic immigrants who had settled there. Can you imagine what hard work it must have been to establish a convent so deep in the Wisconsin wilderness? They farmed, they prayed, they worked, and they built relationships within the community. By 1904, in response to a family in need, the nuns of St. Coletta dedicated themselves to caring for individuals with disabilities, starting with 5 students. By 1915, there were 70 enrolled, and their reputation for kind and compassionate care was lauded far and wide.

Their most famous resident was Rosemary Kennedy - sister to President John F. Kennedy. Rosemary joined the St. Coletta community in 1949 and lived there until her death in 2005 at the age of 86. Rosemary's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was particularly close to Rosemary, and was a fierce advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. Inspired by her sister, she started competitive games in the backyard of her D.C. home, which led to the creation of the Special Olympics.

Eunice (left) and Rosemary (right).

What a great legacy of strong, empathetic women making a positive impact! And I can vouch for the current climate at St. Coletta reflecting those powerful roots. The mission - to serve with compassion, dignity and respect - is more than just lip service. It was highlighted often in a two-week new employee orientation and is integrated into goals each department strives to meet each and every day.

At a time when the highest ranking officials in our country take the exact opposite approach, I have found it incredibly life-affirming to work with these employees and this population. Each day here has a moment that brings a sweet zing of surprise and pure joy.

Today - a random Tuesday - I was walking down the hall and ran into Larry - a twenty-something client in the Excel day program. Every once in a while Larry decides it's the right day to dress up in a full cowboy ensemble. Today was that day. And as he strut down the hallway in fringed chaps, a western shirt and vest, and a ten-gallon Stetson, I thought - why not say 'howdy' instead of 'hi'?

Last week, the moment of joy came from Carly as she walked down the driveway to where I was picking her up in a minivan. As she came closer, I opened her door and made sure she didn't slip on the icy driveway. Instead of getting in the van, she threw her arms around me and said "I MISSED YOU! I LOVE YOU!" I had seen her the day before, and the day before that, but again I thought - as I was suffused with a great feeling of warmth from her hug - why not say 'I love you' instead of 'hi'?

Many other St. Coletta clients should be just as famous as Rosemary Kennedy for their guileless good cheer. One day a client opened the door to the transportation office, stuck their head in, and said "Oh hi! I really like you. You remind me of my MeMaw." It absolutely made my day. Why not tell someone 'I really like you' instead of 'hi'?

Yesterday it was Moe - who has a unique gravelly voice like the character Roz from Monsters Inc. Moe exudes positivity every time I see him. “How ya doing today today?" he asked me multiple times on our 3-minute drive. "Sure is another beautiful day! Have a beautiful night!" Why not tell everyone you see to 'have a beautiful night' instead of 'hi'?

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new year. I hope the universe is bringing you moments of pure joy, too. And if not - be as bold as the clients of St. Coletta and create some joy yourself. Hug a friend. Tell someone you love them. Wish a stranger a beautiful day. Be someone's reason to smile today.

In other words, spread joy as unabashedly as Larry, Carly and Moe.

Sojourn on!