The Harry Tompson Center is committed to providing a calm and caring environment in which to serve the needs of the poor and homeless in the downtown New Orleans area. The Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all those who come to us in need, not merely by responding to physical needs, but also by attending to the whole person with respect and compassion, after the example of Jesus.

More Than Cornflakes Make Mornings "GRREAT!"

                I realized recently that I haven’t had a single day when I woke up and thought, “darn, I have to go into work today.”  Rain or shine, my heart is eager to encounter the uncommonly beautiful and strikingly unique people that make every day a fresh and inspiring experience.  Since I first started, there’s been a gentle shift in my morning monologue from the deflating realization of, “I’m going into work today” to the comforting inspiration of “I’m going to my second home to spend some crazy fun time with friends and brighten someone's life!” Every morning, I’m invigorated by watching the morning sun glisten through the trees as I rhythmically bike my way into work.  Once there, I’m greeted warmly by my wonderful co-workers and the Presentation sisters, all of us carrying an inner joy and love that we cannot wait to share with those who shall greet us in this new day.  And then as 8am hits, our doors and hearts open to the joys, sorrows and laughter that each individual brings to our day.  I have found that I actually enjoy the rhythm of doing people’s laundry and coordinating showers.  I receive more than a normal day’s worth of freshness and surprise in my casual interaction with friends both old and new.

One recent example is my friend David, a complete jokester who has made my days interesting by his silly bantering and goofiness.  His laughter, smile and spirit was contagious for me and he never failed to loosen me up and get me to smile.  An accomplished carpenter, he recently informed me that he was headed off to Vegas where the industry was booming and the living cheap.  He entrusted us to hold his sacred ticket out of town until the big day.  On his last day here I asked him, “is there anything you are going to miss about New Orleans?”  He looked me straight in the eye and quickly said, “Nope.  No way.”  Then he stopped, adding, “besides you, Emily and Cassie of course.  You guys are the only friends I have here.”  While I know he had other people here watching out for him, I believe he was trying to let us know that the caring community he encountered here at the shelter gave him the boost he needed to make a fresh start for himself.  Maybe that’s just it.  It’s our ability to inspire people to make a new start that inspires me at the start of every morning to dive heart-first into this ever-dynamic and spiritually rich ministry.  If that isn’t worth getting up for in the morning, I don’t know what is.


Dan Thelen 2008-01-24

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