1 Year Anniversary

I've worked for the Hospice for a year now.

I'm surprised I made it a year. Every two months I told myself I was going to quit as soon as an opportunity presented itself. But then it seemed I would get the hang of things and it wouldn't be so bad, much like the first year of any job I suppose. I'm glad to have that first one under the belt.

The job is still tough, but I was reminded yesterday why have been sticking it out:

When I arrived to see M. yesterday, two people where in her room with her. I introduced myself and told them I was there to give M. a massage. The woman sitting on the bed replied with "oh can I be next?" in that joking fashion that I encounter often. Before I get a chance to answer, M. practically yells "Yes! It's only your feet it doesn't take that long. You should do it!" As she's doing this she's kicking off her slippers to get ready for her massage. Chuckling as they walked out the door, we assure M. that nobody else needs a massage today.

After the massage I go out to meet the folks that were in her room. I find out that the woman was M's daughter, so I fill her in on m's status. The daughter is surprised that her mom is so accepting of massage. Not just accepting, but excited to the point of kicking off her slippers. She tells me that she's never been one to like hugs or touch. When her son who was away for 6 months at a time, would return home, she would be sure to move to the other side of the table so he couldn't give her a hug. She was so happy that M. was accepting and enjoying the massage and improving her quality of life.

There are so many things about people's lives that we don't know. In the short time that I get to know these people, I've barely scratched the surface of their life experience. Yet, I am told I profoundly affect the last few weeks or months their loved ones lives.

It's for these reasons that I put up with the things that I don't like about the job.