This week is exhausting so far! Just started a new job in a nursing home...and it's changed the way I look at things. At first, I didn't know what to think because this is a totally new experience, and people weren't particularly encouraging because of pre-conceived notions, but I was pleasantly surprised because some of the residents are so sweet! Granted, many come from different walks of life, etc., and there are some pretty interesting characters to deal with, but for the most part, the people are great. In any case, this is a good experience because I have come to realize that youth and being able to function normally are so valuable, and now have more motivation to enjoy life while I can, because once the years go by, that's it. Period. No way to go back and get another chance. So that's some pretty deep stuff, but it's true. So if I can make some elderly person's day (despite their circumstances), I'm content. Many of them sure make me smile!
Anna posted on Jul 12, 2006
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Comments
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Broncostar said on Jul 12, 2006....
It's nice that you've chosen a job that benefits your community in such an uplifting way! -
varada said on Jul 13, 2006....
It is great that you have become a nurse. You can be of service to the people who need you very badly. Take care of them. -
ALIENated said on Jul 13, 2006....
Saint Anne. My parents are both dead as of a couple of years ago. Neither spent a great deal of time in nursing homes, but enough for me to see what they are like. Some are good and some are smelly. I thank God for the people working in them. Never forget that they were once young and not that different from you. -
ALIENated said on Jul 13, 2006....
Sorry. Saint Anna. -
Expendable said on Jul 13, 2006....
You're lucky. You've discovered it while you still can enjoy it. Many don't. -
silverwhisper said on Jul 13, 2006....
[quote][b]robert herrick[/b] once ||{1}||: "gather ye rosebuds while ye may old time is still a-flying: and this same flower that smiles to-day to-morrow will be dying.[/i][/quote] as expendable observed, many people take a lot longer to make that realization. ed -
nospace said on Jul 13, 2006....
Who was it that said: "Youth is wasted on the young."? -
Anna said on Jul 14, 2006....
Thank you for the comments! You know, I tried commenting twice before, but both times there was a server error and then soulcast was down for maintnance! So hopefully the third time's a charm!! Anyway...oh, I just wanted to clear something up-I'm not a nurse, I work in the activities department...playing games, exercises, etc. But you know what? I think it benefits me as much as it does them. It's great if a resident who usually stays in their room all day and sleeps comes out and participates in whatever we have going on- it gives them something to look forward to, especially if no one ever comes to visit (that just breaks my heart!) But when I see them smiling and making an effort, it means I'm doing my job. ALIENated, my condolences go out to you concerning your parents...and Saint Anne is one of my favorite saints (St. Anthony, St. Jude, and St. Jospeh ALWAYS help, too!) but you're right, these people had aspirations once. They had their whole lives ahead of them, and now they spend their time reminiscing about the past. It helps to treat them more like humans, because nursing homes can feel so cold and distant. Ed, I love the exerpt by Robert Herrick; it's so poetic and true! And nospace, I'm not sure where that saying originated, but for the most part it's quite true. Wow. I think that is the longest comment I've written so far! Mmmm....brain food :o) -
silverwhisper said on Jul 14, 2006....
anna: you've evidently not seen [i]dead poets society[/i]. an excellent film IMHO, and was where i first encountered that poem. :> ed -
hunter_boyce_chandler said on Jul 14, 2006....
Anna, There is no greater service in the world than the care of the very old or the very young. Well...except for Yellow Labs. -
Anna said on Jul 14, 2006....
Ahh...but I have seen Dead Poet's Society, a while back! I thought that poem sounded familiar- thank you for refreshing my memory! And Yellow Labs are adorable! (Border) Collies, and cats are cute, too- today I woke up to my cat sleeping by my side, with his paw on my shoulder (isn' that sweet?!) and my dog was sleeping at the side of my bed. Usually it's a bad thing when a girl wakes up surrounded by males, but in this case it was quite sweet! haha :) -
silverwhisper said on Jul 14, 2006....
[quote][b]anna[/b] quoth [i]usually it's a bad thing when a girl wakes up surrounded by males[/i][/quote] i dunno, i used to date a woman back in the day for whom that probably would have been a dream come true. :> that's one of my all-time favorite movies. :> ed -
Anna said on Jul 14, 2006....
Ah, but the three key words there are "used to date." not to pry, but might that have been a factor in obliterating the relationship? i love that movie, too :o) -
silverwhisper said on Jul 14, 2006....
i'm a very, very sexual person. i've always been, evidently. and at that time i was, well, younger than i am now. that said, she was also a very, very sexual person. let's just say that it was a bad relationship in several respects and leave it at that, shall we? :> ed -
Anna said on Jul 14, 2006....
(chuckle) interesting...but I'm afraid bad relationships are inevitable. I've learned that the hard way :) but they're quite memorable, to say the least (even if they leave emotional disaster in their wake!) -
silverwhisper said on Jul 15, 2006....
o, the memorability was never a concern. :> ed -
Anna said on Jul 15, 2006....
yes indeed- oh, the tangled webs we weave :o) and it's always fun to look back and question oneself: "what the heck was I thinking?!"
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