Metropolis, IL (mile 944)
One of the people we've been looking forward to meet for months was Rita, the head of the guardian family services, a safe haven for abused women and their children. I was lucky enough to meet them yesterday as the women gathered for a pool party in their backyard. They were upbeat, despite revealing some of the hardships they faced--being shot at, stalked, and more--some of the women deal with an obsessed abuser to the extent where they need to leave the state to break the cycle of violence. Amazing women, and an amazing person (rita) to keep the place afloat. When I was there, their local news station was also in the shelter to discuss the fact that they haven't had a state/gov check for 7 months and were just barely able to make next months payroll! Made us feel guilty, as Rita gave us her complimentary rooms at the casino, organized a dinner for mimi and gifts! I really hope that people support her, the women, as she has supported us. I did have a great time with them...and of course got in some extra baby time--babies always upstage.
Communal baby @ the women's shelter
This morning in Metropolis, some of the community's women had a laugh as they saw Mimi off.
Lending a handWe are on the final stretch of the swim now and it's odd to imagine not waking up at 6 am, loading the kayak, seeking out daily amusements to film, tracking and a maze of puzzles to sort out. Mimi may not ever get used to putting herself through the hell of 20 miles a day, but I have in a strange way grown accustom to this jarred randomness all the while putting home on a pedastal. Yet, I haven't been without normalcy. I've been adopted many days and created a new sense of home. I am now part of a community that extends within 6 states I had never been to before in my life. What was once foreign is now part of who I am, and the film that I will make.
Joanna
ReplyDeleteYourself Mimi and crew will always have a home in Ohio.
Tim & Tracey