I'd like a kiss...

My father in law recently commented that some of my success in parenting and marriage so far can be attributed to my time with Diakonia, a homeless shelter in Ocean City Maryland. This is very true! He knows what I went through as a house manager there! Words can't express how special that job was to me. I am going to do a mini series here on the "Long Distance Race" about some of the more memorable moments at the shelter. Looking back, I agree with "Dad B" that working at Diakonia shaped who I am today...
During my first few months at the shelter we admitted an older gentleman with Alzheimer's, and he was quite the charmer. He kept me company during the day when other guests were out job searching. We had hours to talk as I did the household chores and prepared the meals. He became fascinated with me and began to formulate a business plan for the two of us. He would go about inventing this and that, and I would be his secretary. I just smiled and agreed~ what a good idea! One evening as I said good night to the guests and made sure all were accounted for, my "business partner" asked for a goodnight kiss. "I don't kiss guests," I said firmly. "Yes, I see that," he said disappointedly. I reminded him it was curfew time and he needed to head to bed. He asked hopefully~ "would you like to join me?" "No," I said and after that I think the boundaries sank in a bit more. I remember him fondly.