
Lovebirds
By Susan Mankita, LCSW
Dear Social Work,
I cannot say it was love at first sight for me, though you undeniably found your way into my heart. Ours is a romance of 25 years … & like relationships of any length, it’s certainly complicated. ...You have become a comfortable life companion, though occasionally you challenge me beyond reason.
When we first met, I wasn’t sure you were my type… I mean, face it – you didn’t have the best reputation – the whole taking away kids thing… the bleeding heart bit…the salary...but once I started taking you seriously, my thinking changed forever...
Because of you, I bear witness to people’s pain on a daily basis.
Because of you, I take the visions and hopes of people seriously.
Because of you, I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to truly impact lives.
We’ve taken some incredible journeys... stood in the shoes of abused children – and the parents who’ve lost custody (often abused children once themselves). We’ve visited high crime neighborhoods where we were welcomed into homes where we were afraid to sit down.
Social work – you and I have held the hand of a hospital patient, dying alone with no family or friends in sight. We’ve walked along side people who were newly diagnosed with terminal illnesses and born witness to their grief.
We’ve written so many soap notes – well, there isn’t enough water on the East Coast to wash away all the suds
Although we’ve seen unimaginable suffering, together we’ve also learned to NEVER underestimate the power within any individual – you and I have seen first hand that people have strengths and resources I couldn’t possibly have imagined. Thank you for a career rich in meaning, and filled with challenges and possibilities.
Happy Month!
With love from your life partner,
Susan Mankita, LCSW
Comments (24)
Comment FeedYou Said It Perfectly
SaraKay Smullens 337 days ago
Thank you Response
Amina P. Lee , MSW more than 1 year ago
Thank you!
Marie Cortez more than 2 years ago
Thank you for sharing
Stacey more than 6 years ago
Social Workers Have So Much Heart
Dr. Janet A. Geller more than 6 years ago
Thank you
aic more than 7 years ago
Beautifully written.
Geri Cantor more than 7 years ago
Grateful student.
Jennifer Lanzas more than 7 years ago
I love Social Workers!
Carol Duryea more than 7 years ago
My career spans 41 years. We empower others.
Kristine Hess, LSW, OHIO more than 7 years ago
Perfectly Stated!
Danielle more than 7 years ago
perfect
ruth r more than 8 years ago
Thanks
April more than 7 years ago
I'M HONORED TO BE A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Edward Paley, LCSW,ACSW,BCD more than 8 years ago
What a wonderful reflection!
Barbara Ackermann more than 8 years ago
Thank you for the encouragement!
Michelle Soto more than 8 years ago
We're privileged...
Bee Kay more than 8 years ago
Awesome.......
Shaji Zacharia Fernandez more than 8 years ago
Wonderful!
Barbara Daubenspeck more than 8 years ago
Beautifully said!
Karanita Boling more than 8 years ago
Wow!
Norm more than 8 years ago
Creative.
Carmen H. Rodriguez more than 8 years ago
Cogratulations
Rupesh Kumar Singh more than 8 years ago
WOW.
Karen Zgoda more than 8 years ago