Thursday, November 6, 2014
WORK
Day 7 of a gratitude challenge. Today's word is work. I used to be defined by my work. I worked hard at what I did. And I was very good at it. Then when Richard got sick I quit my 'work' and worked at home taking care of him. I am a registered nurse. Have been for 31 years. Gosh, typing that makes it sound like such a very long time. It doesn't feel that long ago when I was in nursing school. When I was young with two young boys and we all went to school. When we shared the dining room table in the evenings to do our homework together. But 31 years is really a long time ago. I quit being paid to be a nurse and started nursing for love. It was a journey I was on for those 3 long and hard years that I cared for Richard at home. And now.....I don't really know what I would define as my work. I am grateful for the years that I gave
to nursing and what nursing gave to me. And I am grateful that right now I don't have to get up each day and go to work.
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You worked hard for the years that you worked both at healthcare facilities and then care giving for Richard. It is good you have this period of rest where you don't have to work outside the house.
ReplyDeletebetty
Right now it is Good. I couldn't not nurse another person right now. So as long as we can manage I will try to enjoy my time not working
DeleteI do not have what it takes to be a nurse. I salute you!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny Kwiz. I didn't think that I did either. But I liked the salary they made so I gave it a go. And found out that I LOVED it. And I salute you as a teacher. Something I KNOW I could never do.
DeleteTrust me when I say the pay is lousy.
DeleteI hear that is true!
DeleteI would say raising teenagers is very hard work and you are doing a job well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. It is for sure hard work. I will reserve judgement for how good a job I'm doing.
DeleteI hope this time off work (can that be a legitimate statement if you have family?) rejuvenates your soul Paula.
ReplyDeleteI hope that it can too Carol!
DeleteI always used to define myself by my job. A Registered Nurse is who I *am*. Now, not so much. That's not to say that I don't define myself that way still, but I try to define myself by the love I give these days. Joe, my daughter, my parents, Joe's parents. They all love me for who I am, not what I do, so I do the same.
ReplyDeleteI was like that as well....up until Richard got sick. Then taking care of him became who I was. And now, I am looking for who I am.
DeleteI'm sure my parents were deeply disappointed I didn't become a nurse (like my mom).
ReplyDeleteBesides being adept at math and science (NOT!), I probably lack the ability to separate myself emotionally from all the heartache.
That's a special sort of strength; I know Richard, Justin and all your family must have been tremendously proud when you stepped across that stage for your diploma!
Becoming a nurse was never in my dreams. And my mom never had any dreams of me becoming a nurse. But once I did it I can't believe I haven't always been a nurse. The boys were only 8 and 12 when I graduated so I am not sure they remember much of how hard it was for their 'old' mom! But yes, Richard was very proud
DeleteI too, am grateful that I don't have to get up and go to work. Of course I am doing plenty of work around this house (not a much as I should or could, some days). I am glad for you that you have this freedom at this point in your life.
ReplyDeleteAfter working outside the home for so many years and then followed with the years of being Richard's caretaker I am perfectly okay with just doing nothing right now!
Delete