Thursday, November 01, 2007

"Thank you for caring."

If any of you knew me when I was growing up, you'll know I always had big dreams for my life and career. I was going to be a doctor, a writer, a lawyer, a princess, a senator, a journalist, a detective, a teacher, a missionary... you name it, I was probably going to be it at one time. Well, I was going to be it and somehow become famous and possibly rich. I've never "gotten off track", I just consciously decided to let God change my priorities and direct my path. Here I am now, having tried several interesting professions and learned lots of helpful life lessons, working with seniors, particularly ones with Alzheimers. I've figured out that it was WHO I am that God is concerned with and that WHAT I am doing is just a tool in His hand to shape me and make me more usable.

For the past few days, I've been training a new employee. This is one of my favorite things about my job because I get to rehearse not just what we do here but also why we do it. Then I'm reminded of all the reasons that I love this job: all of the hundred or so precious people that I see every day. Here we have a favorite saying: "To the world, you might just be one person, but to one person, you might be the world." I have the privilege to bring understanding, humor, and the love of Christ to people who may be beyond the reach of anyone else. It was a little embarrassing to find myself getting teary while explaining to my new employee just how her attitude would influence the residents at an activity. But I guess it was important for her to see that passion, no, compassion is the key to this job. Mrs. Whitely said it over and over to us when we were in high school: "People are more important than things." I kinda believed her then, but now that is one of the principles that shapes my life.

I still have big dreams for my life. Within the next year or so, I hope to be involved in missions with a fantastic group of God's servants. I always hope to write that best seller. I have faith that God will send along "Mr. Just Right For Me" to have adventures and a family with. Of course, my greatest dream right now is to learn to obey God because I love Him, with no other motivation needed.

Back to today.
"Sue, where's your walker? You need to remember your walker." Her glasses make her eyes huge, and she peers at my boss and me owlishly with frustration.

"If I could make a club..." she says. "They always... I don't..."

"I know," I sympathize. Working with Alzheimer's patients helps you become a mind-reader. "Everyone says that to you, don't they? 'Where's your walker?'"

"We just don't want you to fall," my boss explains.

"I haven't fallen in five hundred years," she states assertively.

"Let's make it five hundred and one years. Just carry your walker along with you."

"Okay. Okay." Sue smiles at me. As we start to walk away, she pats my arm gently. "Thank you. Thank you for caring."