"Whether it is the time or the method, true labor is half initiative and half knowing how to let things proceed on their own."

Right now, while I'm in grad school, I work a contingent job taking care of residents at several homes for developmentally disabled adults with mental illness.

A few days before Christmas, one of our residents was so eager about her visit with her sister, and so nervous about getting into trouble (which would lead her sister to cancel the visit) that she lost control of her behavior, busted open the locked drawer containing the sharp knives and other dangerous items in the kitchen, placed her hand on the countertop and stabbed her hand multiple times with a butcher knife (on my shift). This lead to an ambulance, hospital visit, stitches, emergency psych services, etc, an incident report on my end, and possibly a pending investigation regarding her presence in the home with other residents. She was home by breakfast the next and her sister still came to visit, so it could have ended worse.

But the struggle is constantly gauging what kind of space she's in, whether she's ramping up to run away or injure herself, or if she's calm and managing her emotions successfully that day. Too much interference leads to her getting nervous, and can make things worse. Not enough can lead to the same disasterous results.

I like her very much..she's funny and smart, great sense of humor, I care for her very much, and I am trying very hard to know when to step in and when to let her be, to help her live her best life. This is not an instance of labor, but it is my 'job.' And more than that, it's humanity, and it's learning and growing.

Spendings: $3 donut and two power bars

                      $13, chicken, mac&cheese, cough drops, monster