Hobby Shopping

I think I need a hobby other than checking out movies from the library, sampling imported snacks at Trader Joe’s or writing this blog. I haven’t picked up the accordion or the guitar in too long. It’s been years since I tap danced. My routine of reading books on the stationary bike at the gym, working all day and coming home to watch lame TV (or library movies) until bed is getting stale. I usually spend at least one night during the week doing church service, so that’s good. But I’m happiest when I’m busy and contributing. More than a hobby, I think I’d like a volunteer gig. Once upon a time I was really good at volunteering for various organizations and it felt good to contribute my time, since my pocketbook isn’t deep enough to make much of a difference.

Then I switched careers and my schedule became unpredictable and erratic, so I dropped the volunteer gigs. Now my schedule is more predictable, rendering the “I can’t make a regular commitment” excuse empty.

Today I learned about North Carolina’s volunteer guardian ad litem program. Every child in an abuse or neglect case is supposed to have a volunteer looking out for their wishes. The volunteer meets with the child at least once a month and talks to all the other people involved – parents, family, teachers, social workers, doctors, church leaders, etc. to understand what the child wants and what might be best for him. The volunteer writes the report and then appears in court with an attorney for the child to argue on his behalf before the judge. It’s a huge responsibility, but really only a 10-15 hour-a-month commitment. And it’s not like being a big sister or mentor – no trips to the ice cream shop, gifts or outings. It’s more of a legal advocate relationship, which is good for me, since I'm not tremendously warm and fuzzy.

And there’s a huge shortage of these volunteers in NC right now. I have to say I’m really tempted to sign up. Maybe it’s the idea that I’d be doing what I’m best at – digging around for information, asking questions, assessing situations. Maybe it’s the idea of sticking up for a child who can’t stick up for himself. Maybe I just gravitate to the heavy stuff. When I lived in California, I helped run a tutoring program for minority kids in the rough part of town and answered phones for suicide crisis line.

I should probably just take up knitting.