Monday, July 6, 2009

Is it time to move on?

Recently, a number of my residents at the nursing home have expressed that it is almost time for me to go or I won't be there for long. I have not made any mention of leaving or looking for another job. But each week one or more of them have quietly said they will miss me when I am gone. I first thought this was about my having a day off from work. I try to keep a friendly attitude towards each of them. But for some reason, they continue to say that I am capable of so much more and I deserve a better job. Each of them make mention of the humbling of my job, I mean to care for these residents at times means to clean what they would just get in a tub or shower but now they lay in a bed or stand up next to a toilet and let me take care of it. Apologizing for the smell, for the accident, a slip. No need I keep telling them, it happens to us all. Anyways, I try to keep a smile and a friendly story about something else to keep their minds on better times and less about their lack of control now. I know that at times these residents are close to God and can whisper the truth of it. I have had several that have said they were tired or ready to go. In a day or two, they go to God. It is amazing how they know. Several of these people, I have grown to love, daily hugs and smiles. Sweet touches, whispers of affectionate glances. Jealous children who come to see that their daily care takers fill them with joy. Talking to many of them just before lunch about what they wore at weddings, their first cars, the color of their wedding gowns. By the way, most of my ladies wore blue at their weddings not white. It surprised me. So many had that in common.

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