Happiness is...

... being gently humbled.


I didn't want to go to work last night.

I hoped someone would sympathize with me.

It's hard to get sympathy when you only work 3 days a week.

However, I REALLY didn't want to go to work.

Right before I walked out the door, I prayed, "I don't want to be a nurse tonight. Please help me be a good nurse none-the-less. Help me take good care of them."

I spent the entire night with my eighty-something demented patient that was so agitated and confused, staffing had made her a 1:1 (one nurse, one patient). After a rough first hour, I finally just parked a chair next to her bed and only left briefly to get new meds/IV's. She quietly relaxed as I gave her my hand to hold. Instead of holding, she rubbed, massaged, and patted it for the next 11 hours.

Last night, she took good care of me.

Comments

Neighbor Jane Payne said…
Oh my goodness....this made me cry. How very touching. What an incredible privilege to give someone such peace in a troubling time.
May 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Cali.......you are an amazing person and nurse.........i hope when travis and i get old and decrepid ( not too far away ) that we get a nurse like you......you are incredible........i love you.....dad
May 2, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Anonymous said…
hey Cali you are so amazing I like to blogstalk and you are one of my number one picks, I loved your blog it truely made me think about what am I doing to serve others. probably not enough but you are an insperation and I too cried I needed that thank you your neighbor sis. S. Byington
May 2, 2009 at 5:37 PM
katles said…
Wow Cali, can I just say again how much I adore you? Yeah, I've been blogstalking you for some time now, but this is the post that clinched the comment out of me. I miss your powerful example. I'm glad the world wide web lets me continue to witness your goodness. Keep it up, friend. :-)
May 2, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Mama Tales said…
Cali, this post touched me on many levels. Thanks, Shelly
May 2, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Darla said…
Cali,
I agree with your mom, this brought tears.. When my grandma was passing.. I remember that doctor that stayed the night with us and sat and held my grandmas hand and made sure she was comfortable.. You will never know what that ment to your patient to have you by her side... You are truely amazing!!!
May 2, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Cassidy said…
nice. I'm in Seattle!!!
May 4, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Laurie Bingham said…
oh Cal, I would love to be one of your patients. I'd be sick just so you could take care of me!

So July? It's on my calendar
May 4, 2009 at 10:39 PM
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