some years ago, i think three? i talked here about a project in my town i was trying to start. a drop-in for youth, to make them less isolated, give them something to do, a welcoming place to hang out with their friends, and hopefully reduce the amount of teen drug addiction. i put posters on the walls to gather support, connected with the YMCA in my area, it looked like was really gonna get this idea off the ground.
no one signed my petition. i had one meeting with the YMCA and then they never got back to me.
all progress seemed to slow, and nothing ever came of my plan for the rest of the time i was living there. i remember weeping on the stairs because i wanted so badly to leave my town behind with something that would help the kids who are still stuck there, and it fell apart.
this summer, i couldn't find an apartment in my new city in time, so i had to return home for 4 months while college was off. i found out that in my absence, someone with more resources, connections and funding had remembered my project, and she picked up the pieces i'd left behind and tried again.
she succeeded. there is now a drop-in youth program at the local health centre in my hometown.
it finally worked. it really, really worked. thank you, candace. 🌱
I remember that! I'm so glad it worked out, eventually. It's worth it to try even if we fail, and sometimes that failure isn't even permanent. Congratulations on what you inspired!
Ahh that must have felt amazing!! Reminded me of the lyrics of Fixer Upper by Grace Petrie:
"Lace your boots and find the shoots Still struggling through the rotted roots The saplings laid by other folks we will turn into mighty oaks The battle scars, the broken parts, of dreams who outlasted those hearts Everything you dream is possible, it's waiting to be made So my comrade, come grab a spade."
