One thing I want to write about is about when I went to stay with my sister Lindsay for a couple of days in Kansas City, Missouri. The thing that I want to write about in this Blog post is that I went to Lindsay’s work at Operation Breakthrough to visit for half of a day. I was surprised when Lindsay asked me to do this it was a surprise for me and when I get surprised it’s also means I am excited and happy to do this with my sister.
I brought a bag of To-Do things while Lindsay worked on her work stuff and I can work on some of my things too. After I had my lunch I started to work on my things.
The people in Lindsay’s office are really nice and talk to me a lot and really friendly. They had a project to get packets together to send to people and they asked me to help them. I was really surprised and did not know they would have that for me to do. Lindsay said Leah can you be flexible and not work on your To-Do things and that the ladies in the office could have me help them with the project. This was a surprise also and exciting thing too. So I put my stuff to the side over on the side.
It kind of was the same things I do when volunteering at CHI Print Center like put together packets and things. But it was a little different also. Lindsay and I did it together some and I put on my music of Jennifer Hudson on my ipod for us.
Then I asked to Lindsay if I could tell her co-worker in her office something and talk to her about something. And she came over and I did really good by talking to her and she gave me a big hug. And I did good talking to all of the people in the office too.
Bring your sister to work day. When the ladies in my office heard Leah was in town for a few days, they generously suggested she come by, meet them, and spend a little time in our office. If you’ve read other posts, you know Leah’s dream job is working in an office. The Break Room. Cubicles and work desks. Employee bathrooms. Have I mentioned the Break Room? Spaces that may otherwise seem corporate…standard… are brilliant in her eyes.
There are probably many contributors to the way the office appeals to her. As the saying goes, we always want what we don’t have. Through her lens, the office directly relates to having a job. Having a job means independence. Independence, something she is constantly trying to achieve, equals success.
Now Leah knows that office job aside, her life has been incredibly successful. But it’s important to remember how simply she views things. When she is in an office space, she feels important, focused, and most significantly – independent.
I never quite know what to expect when Leah says she wants to talk about something with another person. One challenge we work on with her as a family is getting to the point of her stories. What could typically be said in 5-10 words is often said over an entire roller coaster of a paragraph for Leah.
This was not the case when Leah asked to talk with my co-worker. I should know by now never to assume anything with my sister. Leah began, and I prepared myself to have to intervene.
“I just want to say, umm, there is something I want to say, I just have a thing I want to talk with you about…” Here we go…. I thought.
“It’s that I want to say thank you…thank you for letting me help you today.”
Thank YOU, for letting me HELP you.
Mic drop. My co-worker couldn’t grab Leah fast enough for a huge hug, “I don’t know if anyone has ever thanked me for letting them help me,” she responded in a flustered tone. She was sold. In 8 words, Leah said more than I’ve said since I started working in my position in March. 8 words.
What a unique way to voice how she felt in her experience. What a selfless sentence. What sets Leah apart? I think a lot of it can be attributed to her intention. There was no hidden agenda in her statement. She wasn’t looking for a raise, for recognition. She was simply thankful for the chance to contribute. To be a part of it all for a few hours.
That afternoon, Leah re-focused my lens in such an important way. In 8 words, she encouraged me to re-evaluate the intention behind my actions. She inspired me to seek less praise and show more gratitude.
I have a great and wonderful afternoon and time at my Sister Lindsay’s work and spend time there to talk to the ladies in the office and to help out. Maybe someday I can come again sometime to go there again with my sister.
If you find hope, insight, or maybe just a few laughs in our Upside Down story, know that in 8 words Leah has re-aligned my perspective. Thank you for supporting this space. For the kind words and the encouragement. We are lucky to be here and excited to keep writing.
Here’s to turning our minds Upside Down.
So profoundly powerful. This one leaves a giant footprint on my heart. Way to go!!!
Thank you for your blog, I enjoy reading it. Keep up the good work
You guys making me prod for Leah she is beautiful girlfriend in my life to me your upside down log I am donate your best job ever. Mark Struby