My life is hectic right now. School, work and family. Today, I had to take a down day. I want to share with you about my job (if you can call it that).
The first night I worked was very emotional for me. You see, I have not done complete care on anyone since the day my dad went home to heaven. Each man I cared for became dad, and I cared for them with teary eyes, it was a healing that was long overdue.
Where I work is about 4 minutes from my home, so I have known most of the residents all my life. I was allowed to go visit all that I knew and let them know that I was going to be spending the night with them (that's what I call it). I got alot of "Oh MY Lord, Cindy!" and it felt good. The hugs and kisses felt even better, hehehehe.
The second morn, right before my shift was over, here comes a little lady rolling down a hall I wasn't working on in her wheelchair, hollering "Where's that sweet little Hewitt girl?????". Sighhhhhhhhh, tears again. You see, once upon a time, many years ago, she and I worked together :)
The blessing to be able to help someone in the middle of the night, to give them comfort and a kiss on the forehead and watch their sleepy smile as they drift back off to sleep, it's just simply amazing.
The second morning that I came home, Ken was up and we talked a little while and I cried. I had done this kind of work for many years and swore I'd never go back. But, as I sat and talked with him the tears overflowed, a sweet release. He smiled and said, "I knew this was where you needed to be, but wasn't going to push you. It had to be your decision.....Cindy, it's not a job for you, it's a calling." Wow, what an eye opener from Ken, he doesn't speak alot about serious stuff, but when he does, listen...right Sugg?
I will graduate next Friday, then state boards probably within three weeks. Besides school 3 days a week, I've worked three days, done 27 online homework lessons from where I work, made an A on midterms, done lotsa homework for school. During that time, two periods of NO sleep for 27 hours.... tomorrow I will do another 27 hour no sleep (school then work) and next Wednesday I'll do it again. So today, my system says rest....and I will.
In our online homework that my job requires, my first assignment was a video like this......Kleenex alert!!!!!!!
I love you all and covet and appreciate your prayers...your prayers have gotten me through this so far......God bless you!
Grammy: Did you ever stop and think of how God put us together as friends at the right time....when I needed you and then when you needed me???? And HE sits back and smiles......I love you!
MY SISTER ,
TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED.....SO YOU KNOW WHAT GOD SEES WHEN HE LOOKS AT YOU ...... SOMEONE HE CAN COUNT ON TO DO THIS WONDERFUL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE...PEACE AND MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU MY FRIEND.......
Cindy Lou thank you for being their angel We have 2 family members placed in residental homes at present Hubby's sister and my Mum although you are far away it helps to know that there are caring aids about We have already had some years back a bad experience with an aunt . May all your exams etc go well for you
So glad you are doing what you are doing Cindy Lou. We need a lot more people like you caring for our sick ones. I love you sis! God bless and congratulations.
Nothing you wrote was a surprise to me. You have a gentle heart, and the gift of caring about people, and for them. It seems to me that you've been blessed by these precious ones.
I pray that you will have the strength, and endurance to get through these long hours, as you serve God and His children.
Cindy, you are closest to Gods heart because you care for those which are closest to God heart, God Bless you and alwyas remember when your body is tired that He will make happen for you what you make happen for others and everytime you bless someone with a kiss good night they have been kissed by God and just like you allow them to experience sweet rest at night as they sleep, when you lie down to rest God will wrap you in His arms and cradle you in sweet rest.
Joey: I got LOTS of "daddies" now......and it is a blessing. Sometimes I look into their eyes and see dad looking back at me. How could I take care of my dad, use the God given ability to do it and NOT take care of someone else's mom/dad the same way???? I love you!
Bless you and know that the word of God says what you sow in tears you shall reap in joy so keep weeping daughter of God each one has a meaning and only He knows what each means and who each one is for.
You are right. Better listen. I hate hearing the exhaustion in you voice after those long days. I hate not being able to help take care of the pups. I hate not being able to physically help you carry this. But it sounds like you are doing good. I am very proud of you. After reading this, i realize you really do need this. I love you lou!
First of all, glad you are taking time to regenerate yourself. Second, that film is a must see for everyone - it sums it all up in a nutshell. Lots of love, CindyLou & God bless you. You are a jewel!
Sugg: Oh, my dear, I do sooooooo know you would if you could. Soon the exhaustion will be gone, when I can get on a normal schedule. Yep, I really did need this, funny ain't it? I love you Hollywood!
panda: I do understand that I have to take care of me or I can't take care of them, I learned that with taking care of dad and when I worked in home health. And now that I'm older it's even more important, LOL. That film is a tear jerker.....but so very true, if people only understood how true it is. Love you lady!
It takes a big heart with lots of compassion to do this kind of work Cindy ~ My hat is off to you. This is the area of work I am now concetrating on. I think sometimes the parent and child are bot h in denial that age happens thus affecting so many in the future. I have lost 2 fathers (bio and adoptive) and 1 mother (adoptive). When they were all in the hospital and / or nursing home I often wondered how on earth the employees there could enjoy going to work. Now I know.................
Lynne: There is alot of denial on both sides. Our "society" has made people feel that once they start aging they are useless, less productive, etc... yes, the older we get the less we may be able to do in certain areas of life, but I believe that is when we need to change our focus to what we can do. I've heard many, many elderly people say " I'm just useless anymore!"....I tell them no they are not useless, and ask them for a hug and a smile and explain that I have had no grandparents since I was 13, and that they just filled a void in my life!
As a caregiver of my dad before he went to Heaven, I was thankful for the home health experience I had or I might have been in denial that my dad was ill. Aging is part of God's plan, Psalms speaks of teaching us to number our days :) I used to tell my dad that he took care of me when I couldn't and that I wanted to give back what he gave to me.
Lynne, I was raised in a time when children took care of their aging parents, therefore, I had a blind grandmother who lived in our home, and my parents also took care of my two other grandparents down the road. This was normal to me. I do understand that sometimes it can't be done and I understand the pain of the family that does have to put their parents in a home. I just want to be there and pray that I can make it a little easier, whether it's a kiss goodnight on the forehead, a hug, comfort, or singing (yep, I sang to a resident the other night). :)
The blessing to be able to help someone in the middle of the night, to give them comfort and a kiss on the forehead and watch their sleepy smile as they drift back off to sleep, it's just simply amazing.
I think this was the point where I began to cry CindyLou. Cry! Because, how great is the need for elderly to be kissed, and tenderly loved! Cried! Because you did. You do! Oh God, thank you for CindyLou and for loving the elderly where she is, enough to send her to them. Indeed, your husband has understood. You HAVE found your ministry. Ohh! That I should see the PSW's at my place of work kiss the cheeks of the residence. And give kindly words. Never, never to laugh together 'about' their antics, instead of laughing with them when it is right to do so. It may be a painful work... but ohh they need you. Do not leave. Rather, I would see you duplicated.. there is need for more of you! God bless you, and all those lovely seniors at your work. And He has. Blessed you, and blessed them with your presence. // Is your work PSW (Personal Support Worker) in a senior home then?! I am an Activity Aide, and so enjoy giving special moments to seniors!
p.s. I would like to send this video to my program manager, by email. But have never done that before. Do I copy the URL, and then paste it into the email, or how should I do this?
Also, with your permission, I would like to send along this blog with it, complete with the comments. I believe it will bless my Program Manager as much as it did me, and also, I think it a witness to her, of Christian love! Pls, let me know if I hve your permission to do this. - by private message or public comment.
Denise: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh someone who understands my heart!!!!! Thank you Lord!!!! Right now, I am a NA (Nurse's Assistant) until I pass my state board, then I'll be a CNA (Certified Nurse's Assistant)....is that the same as Personal Support Worker? The Senior Care Facility I work in has a 5 star rating ( the highest you can get). It has two ponds (which the ones who want and can are allowed to fish in), a Secret Garden, Sunrooms......it's really a beautiful facility complete with street names for the halls :)
You are welcome to copy this URL and send to her, if that doesn't work, let me know and I'll send you the link to the video and you can copy the blog and send it with the link to the video! God bless you for what you do too!
Bless you CindyLou. My sister was a nurse in a nursing home for around 25 years, my daughter also. They say it's not a job, their are family. Your heart breaks for them. I think it is a blessing when God allows us the opportunity to care for these precious children {that's what I call them} of his. It takes a special person, not just anyone can do this kind of work. You are one of those people. Be blessed my friend
Blessings to you sister! I pray God gives you supernatural strength to get through the next couple of weeks with classes/boards. I know He and you can do it.
It's such a blessing to have staff that really care about the people in homes for seniors.Since my Mom has been in such a home for 5 years and is experiencing dementia as well as extreme physical atophy,I have seen the diiference that kindness makes to these bewildered souls.They need the love that Jesus extends in their final years and only those who have Jesus can pass it on.I'll remember to pray for you to pass exams,keep going when exhausted,have enough left for yourself and your family and time for the One who will make all these things possible.
((((Cindy)))))))) it is nice to see people like urself who truley CARE for older people and understand them. I had to shut the video off midway as the tears were so great I couldnt see. SEE my mom has later stage of parkinsons, she is only 78 and some say how do u do it, u have such patience..etc. WELL like this video said she rasied me, and had patience with me. I was more then a hand full and full of sin....anyways there r days when mom is so out of it, u have to feed her and wipe her mouth a lot as she salvates a lot. Thers is A LOT Patience needed, that i SEE the livein adie doesnt have and that saddens me. I see when my dad was in hospital 8 years ago with kidney cancer and how when he went into the rehab to relearn things no one really had patience with him or the other patience, they over meditacated them so they would not bother them : ( ....... IT SADDENS me and ANGERS me when i see a daughter or son with there elder parent in the foodstore and all they do id yell at them : ( .....wheres there compasion??.... I live in a 55 and older village and I visit elder people in the homes and try to bring some encouragement to them and when they say well my son is to busy to come visit that saddens me and angers me. SO Cindy i hope i made sence and I give u 200000 kudos! and Glad you saw this IS your Calling!!!!! God Bless you and glad God lead me here this morning! Love ya
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Heart of gold is what you have my friend. I am praying for you.