When I was a junior in high school and 16 years young, I decided to get a job. I’ll be honest I wasn’t looking too hard for one but a server position at a local retirement community kind of stumbled into my life. Little did I know that this job 7 years ago would change my life. I just ended my time working in nursing homes this semester and I’ve had several positions from dietary, CNA, activities assistant, and as a receptionist. Every time I would tell someone what I did they would always say “they’re so lucky to have you.” But my residents taught me some life lessons over seven years that I was the blessed one to have them in my life.
Be compassionate.
While some of my residents were so happy and in positive moods almost daily. I had others who were the complete opposite. I learned that sometimes people just want your company. I started realizing I was apart of my residents life and they wanted time spent with them. I worked so much I started remembering what they liked and disliked or stories they would tell me. Being a constant light, smiling and remembering who they were as a whole person went a long ways. This goes really for anyone, just not those of the older population.
Listen.
Going along with being compassionate, sometimes people just want someone to listen to them. Their kids or spouse might not be around anymore or they want to tell someone else the same story they have bored their family with for years. I started sitting down with coffee in the morning while serving breakfast and just listening, to their pain, life stories, and greatest joys. I learned more about life and history in these hours in the morning than any other time.
Time is short.
The hardest lesson I learned was this. Time is short. Time is precious. All my residents became another grandparent to me over the years. Some had watched me go to both my junior and senior prom, graduate from high school, start college, and go through my Disney experience. The hardest thing was not being there was to say goodbye. But it reminded me to be thankful and cherish the moments I have with them and others in life.
