I know that life is full of a lot of ups and downs.
Unexplainable events just keep happening.
Some people just keep coming and going and but friends are forever.
Over the past eight months since I lost my job, my husband injuried his back so bad that he to became unemployed and not eligible for WCB.
I a few weeks ago I had the arbitration/mediation and didn't get my job. In fact I lost my position in the BCGEU where I was on the executive for my local, my Union Membership and a little bit more of my pride.
One of the only things that kept me going was my pride in my relationships that I have formed with each and everyone of you. It is because of your friendship that I really feel that I have been blessed with a lot of wealth. I wish that I could each and everyone one of you personally but unfortunately that would take my time away from what I am suppose to be really doing and that is looking for work.
I partly blame myself for losing my job because of doing what come natural to me, the other is for not being able to communicate to my co-workers and management about our cultural differences and values I hold in being a part of a union and activist. I was so proud to say that I worked in the front-lines and that I belong to a union that would protect me and that I could rely on.
I loved and still do love working with the people that I connected with. They showed there love and respect so much they still continue to rely on me as their voice and as someone whom they can still feel safe to talk too.
In October I ended up in the hospital on a heart machine because I had become so broken hearted.The doctor said that my blood pressure had drop into the danger zone. That is when I had decided that I was going to keep up the fight for some kind of justice.
I have continued to attend rallies, and provided support for my family and entered into the Victoria READ Society where I could learn to communicate through learning how to write. I started writing my autobiography. Which I stopped working on because of the emotional state that I am still going through with my former employer. So maybe I will pick it up after awhile. The part that I do have ready I will be putting under a new website at
http://rosehenry.blogspot.com
One of the most happiest things that happened to me was that I was made Virgina Monologue Warrior Woman of the year and was nominated for YWCA Women of Distinction but didn't qualify for their award. I thought that it was great that someone thought this much about me.
Now my husband and I are trying to face the challenges ahead. Just in the past week alone we didn't have enough money to pay our phone, cable and rent so we pay most of rent and lost use of our phone which is our only connection to the out side world. Right now because of my volunteer work at Race Relations I can use their internet ( thank goodness some one still needs me). We maybe looking for a new home and applying for welfare at the end of this month, after working our way off of it over eight years ago, if we don't get work ASAP.
Our landlord informed us that he has put the house up for sale, so we don't know when or if we will have to move.They offered to sell it to us but with no work and no one to co-sign for us I don't think that this is possible for us to own our own home.
Both James and I are at the Causeway every chance we get doing foot massages for a donation. I am doing my best to abstain from sharing my politically believes on social and human rights injustices and why we are real down there. Thank god I have denture now because if I didn't my bite would be nasty nasty nasty. We would have an all out war in the causeway.
Most of us are down there because we need to feed our families and that is the reality for us. We have been talking about the huge injustices that we are all facing. I one guy was actually shocked when I told him that the artists were getting down there as early as 5:30 in the morning and several us us sit there for hours before we can get enough for our first cup of coffee.
I think James should a specially award for listening to my none stop chatter on what this government is doing to us. He has even about the segregation of FN vendors verse the the non-status first hand when the city commissionaires informed him that the indian were suppose to go to the south end of the Causeway because that is were they belong. That was enough for me. I wanted to set up my own soap box right in front of the Legislature. The commissionaires told him he had to have a permit and that he couldn't do his foot massage unless he sat in front of the welcome to Victoria sign. Well James won the first two rounds with the city because there was no room on the wall. Know he has set himself up a little stand and hopes that he can help relief some stress for people and at least feed us or pay some of the bills.
I am doing my best to encourage everyone to get out and vote. I am doing in the Causeway and working in David Turner office at least a couple times a week.
James and I both know the importance of good health and how we must keep up our energy. But with all the stuff that we have been through there have been moments that I find myself literally crying for no apparent reason. Like right know as I am writing partly for therapeutic reason and partly because I want to let everyone know how much we really do appreciate your support.
What we are really needing right now besides a good holiday is a job. James and I are willing to do janitorial work, I have learned how to work our lawn mower so I can cut grass. But my heart is working in the community service sector. My resume is listed on turtle island native news under discussions. James said that
he going to try and raise enough money to get our phone reconnected ASAP.
Thank you for being there during my time of need.
I hope that one day we can be there for you.
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