Intervention Update

I had a lovely, lovely surprise in the grocery store today.  Earlier this year, I called an AA sponsor for an alcoholic woman in crisis at that same store, and a Hulk Hogan clone guy came spectacularly to the rescue, with a team of folks at a moment's notice to save the day.  They had a place for her to stay, someone to look after her child, and someone to check out her car, as well as the one on one sponsor time.

Today, the woman saw me, and recognized me, and came up to me to thank me again!  Her name is Jennifer, and she's still clean and sober, has a new job, a new apartment, and did *not* go back to the boyfriend sabotaging her sobriety.  I'm so proud of her!

She said that if I hadn't stopped and talked with her, she didn't know where she'd be, but it wouldn't be where she was now, for sure.  I told her that she had an awesome sponsor, and Jennifer agreed.  She also said she wouldn't have called him if I hadn't asked about him.

I did not even recognize Jennifer as the same woman until she identified herself.  She looked thinner, healthier, and years younger.  I'm so happy for her, and I'm so glad I got to know how things turned out!  (Except for the car;  I forgot to ask about that.)  We thanked God together.

And I also say again:  Go, Hulk Hogan dude, whoever and wherever you are!  You so totally helped change Jennifer's life for the better.  I'm so glad you answered the phone and came when I said something;  I have no idea what I would have or could have done for her other than talk.  Thank you.

But, ohhhhhh!  Am I doing the happy skippy walk at random times, I am so glad things worked out for her!!!

Another Grocery Store Interaction

In the checkout lines at the grocery store today, I heard a little girl singing the "Ba da, da-da-da, I'm lovin it" jingle for McDonald's.  The mom was stressed, and not really into it. 

I noticed that the very young child - about three years old - was very much in tune - perfectly so.  I complimented her mom on her beautiful voice, and told her that I thought her daughter had perfect pitch, unusual and a talent to watch for.

The mom said her daughter often made her *crazy* singing at odd times, but that she'd heard other people say that her baby had a nice voice.

I asked the mom if the girl held her hands over her ears at strange noises, or when people sang, and she said that she did.  I repeated that I thought she had perfect pitch, and sang a little snatch of song.  The little girl, cocking her head at me, repeated the song bit, note for note and pitch perfect.  I did another song phrase, a filk song I know she'd never have heard before, and she did the same thing.

Mom was astonished.  She asked me if I was a music teacher, how did I know about this?  I told her my own young daughter had perfect pitch, and my dad was a composer.  I said that she would probably benefit from music lessons from a very young age, and would love music toys.

Mom said that she bet that her little girl would grow up and be in the marching band at school, and left very pleased, adding  that her if her child was annoying, she was at least actually talented and showing off rather than just being a pain.   (  !  )