WORKING IS GREAT!!!

There must be something wrong with me. I just came home from work and I feel so fine it is sinful. Maybe it is because I only worked for an hour?? I will try to explain this.
About a month ago I took my sister-in-law to the Dr’s office. While she was inside seeing the Doctor I sat in the waiting room and got to talking to a lady in a wheel chair. This lady was very nice and explained she had fallen and injured herself and was having trouble getting things done. She asked me for my name & phone number so I gave it to her. Did I mention she was elderly? Now you know, gentle reader, I have a soft spot for elderly people. Anyway I I was surprised when I received a call from her brother asking me if I could provide some assistance. Of course I said I would be glad to. I went to the home and gave the lady a full bath. I wasn’t able to do her hair because she had trouble standing and I was afraid I would drop her. She was so thrilled just to have a real good bath and lotion—said she felt like new! Of course I felt good about the whole thing. Than we made arrangements to have me come every week. I went a couple more times and her brother told me some great news. Her therapist said she was doing much better and didn’t seem to be as depressed as she had been previously. Than we come to Mothers Day. My Mother died several years ago so it is a quiet time for me. I got to thinking about Edith and so I called and made arrangements to take her to get her hair and nails done and it would be my treat for Mothers Day. When I picked her up to take her she couldn't believe it. Her daughter, who was here visiting from Georgia, went with us. Fran did her hair and it took awhile because Edith had a terrible build up in her hair. Edith has psoriasis and that takes a special shampoo and treatment. Than Sue did her nails and she really felt like a fabulous. Then I took her home and she was so happy. Today was the day for a bath so I went to the house and gave her a nice bath and lots of lotion. She had a plastic cover on her bed so if she had an ‘accident’ at night the bed wouldn’t get wet. I told her the plastic sheet was not good to sleep on. She said that was all they had so I made a fast trip to the drug store and got her a pad. This only took about a half an hour so it was no big deal but to her it just “put the icing on the cake” is what she said.
I guess this is where the old saying—it is better to give than to receive---comes from. How true it is. I miss running the Home for the Elderly. There was always something going on and it was such a great job. How many
When you can do something for another person and not expect anything in return is what really counts in this world. Most of the time everyone is just too busy and really don’t want to be bothered. I sure hope I don’t get this way.
A couple of months ago I was working in the hospital for a lady. My shift was from ten at night until eight in the morning. I had books to read and a MP3 player for movies so I was awake all the time. In the same room was another lady (elderly) (does this sound familiar). This lady was having a very hard time moving in bed. Carolyn, my lady, was sleeping soundly. I asked the other lady if I could help. She wanted the nurse so I turned on her light for her. It took about 10 minutes for anyone to come. The lady said she wanted to be turned over on her side. The aide replied they were too busy to cater to people and not to call unless it was important! Then she turns to me and said “If she bothers you just ignore her”. “She is just trying to get attention”. The aide leaves and I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I put Carolyn’s light on. When another aide came I asked for the supervisor and reported the whole thing. Then I helped the nurse turn the other lady to a more comfortable position. I could have said a lot more but for what purpose. The aide was rude and didn’t care and no amount of my talking was going to change her.
That reminds me of the lady I met in the mall crying……..
Love Ruth