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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Holiday work

I work in a business that never closes. People are needed at the Nursing home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means I work every other weekend and every other holiday. This was my year to work Thanksgiving.
Although spending the day with family is preferable, it's really not so bad to work either.
It's always a little more laid back, many of the residents are looking forward to either going out or having family visit and we get to see a lot of families and catch up with them.
I work with some really great people, who really want to make the day special for our residents. One of our aides went out and got make-up and hair styling products, and a few of them spent extra time in fixing up many of the ladies. There was a lot of laughing and joking around between staff and residents. When I greeted one of my men in the morning with a "Happy Thanksgiving", he responded by saying "I hadn't seen any sign of it, until this turkey (meaning me) walked into the room". He thought he was pretty funny!
It also happened to be my birthday, so I was serenaded with the birthday song at breakfast and was spoiled with a few gifts and lots of birthday greetings.
There is also the sad part of holidays for those residents whose families don't visit often and don't show up on the holidays. One of our ladies was pretty sad to see others going out and no one coming to see her. We try to provide some cheer, but it doesn't match up to what family could do.
After work, I joined my family at Bob's Mom's house, where I had some leftover turkey on a roll and a yummy piece of cheesecake! I also got to spend some time with family.


Here's Bob's Mom snuggling with her newest great grandbaby. I think Alaina looks pretty content, don't you?



Some of the family helped set up Mom's Christmas tree. It was a nice way to end the evening. Hope you all had a good day too!

24 comments:

Sadie said...

The tree is gorgeous! I have to say that I love hearing you talk about your job. It's so awesome that they have someone like you to help care for them and provide them with the love they need. My SIL and MIL work at a nursing home and their stories are always great too. Older people need love just as much as anyone! I am sure you are appreciated by many! Happy late Birthday!

Nancy said...

I too love hearing you talk about your job and it's obvious the love you have for the residents. They are so blessed to have you around with your sweet self...

That baby is precious and yes she looks very content...
I know you got your hands on her too....

Connie said...

I'm glad you had a chance to spend tme with family after work. That little one does look very content with great-gramma.

Unknown said...

This made me cry for the lady that wanted someone to come and get her. How heartbreaking. : (

I love that you made the girls that were there feel special : )

I love the man with the turkey joke!

I love that they have you.

Karin said...

Belated Happy Birthday to you!! Hubby and granddaughter also have a b-day on the 24th!! I know exactly how things were for you - that's how it goes at our nursing home too! Just to be there and make a difference is absolutely rewarding! God bless you in your ministry to our fragile elderly!

LL Cool Joe said...

It made me sad reading about the lady that had no family visiting her. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving just Christmas, but I always make sure my parents and mother-in-law are surrounded by as much family as possible. My brother doesn't, and I can't bear the thought of anyone being left on their own, even though we don't all get on that well together!

Justabeachkat said...

Thank you Mari for what you do. Our daughter is a neo natal nurse and has to work some holidays too, so I know how hard it is to be away from family. I also know how much it means to those in her care (and yours!). Thank God there are those like you and Bree to love on and care for those who can't be home with their own families.

Hugs,
Kat

Cheri said...

I'm so glad you had such a nice Birthday. Alaina is getting so big- and cuter every day (even though I didn't think that was possible to get any cuter)

Christina said...

Happy belated birthday. It seems like your job is very fulfilling. I imagine it is sad though to see people who's family seem like they have forgotten them. I am sure you all make it a bit easier.

Love the pics.

Susan said...

I love and appreciate your wonderful attitude, Mari. The residents, where you work, are truly blessed to have you!!!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Mari, it makes me so sad thinking of people who don't have family on holidays. Even though I come from a large family my other siblings do not visit mom much. It breaks my heart and I make an effort to get out there every friday because of that. Wishing it were different, but doing what I can in the mean time. Your family (both Bob's and yours) are a complete blessing!

Betty W said...

I´m so glad for people like you, who do work on the holidays and make those people feel special who can´t go out. Blessings to you Mari!

Rae said...

You are a blessing to those folks in the nursing home.

Pat said...

That is just the saddest thing...people alone on holidays, especially older people like those in the nursing homes. That's one reason all old people fear going into one..being deserted! You are an angel to them, where would the would be without people like you?
Miss Alaina looks VERY content with her great grandma. You can just feel the security and love she feels at that moment. The tree and setting is beautiful!!

Brooke said...

the tree looks like one of those mall setups for Santa to have his picture made with kids in front of :P

i thought of you this weekend. after lunch we took Pawpaw back to the nursing home. Such a blessing to have a place he likes so much that its not a fight to take him back - quite the opposite he asked to go "home" early!!

Anita said...

Sounds like a fulfilling job you have. I imagine it's hard and monotonous at times, but how blessed the residents are to have you.

Love the picture of great-grandma and baby Alaina. :)

Happy Belated Birthday!!! May you be blessed with many, many more.

Sharon said...

I loved reading your post and had to shed a tear for that lady. I just can not imagine how lonely she must be.
Love the guy and his joke.
You must be a true blessing to all of them and sharing your holiday with others.
bless you
Hugs

Saija said...

atleast the residents had someone sweet like you to greet them ... i too didn't mind working holidays because the atmosphere was always different - usually in a nice way ...

loved the pics!

Jenny said...

Happy Birthday, Mari, you turkey you! *chucklegobblesnort*

Rebecca said...

Mari, I love your attitude. So many people complain about having to work...

I KNOW you're a blessing to your fellow staff people and the residents...

AND you got a cold turkey sandwich! I've been craving one terribly! (I didn't host a gathering this year and realize this is one of the downsides to being guests rather than hosts.)

ancient one said...

Your sweet little grandbaby was sleeping on great-grandma. That's the best feeling for the great-grandma (I know!!)

You and my daughter must have the same work schedule. She worked on Thanksgiving this year. She also does the every other weekend. Still her grandson came to see me at Thanksgiving. I had so much fun playing with him.

I'm sure all the people in your workplace love you. Paitents and fellow workers, both!!

Happy Birthday !!

Beth said...

It takes a special person to do what you do. Isn't it wonderful how God gives us different gifts and customizes our patience level so we can fill the various jobs?!

Alaina looks quite content and adorably cute too.

The tree is lovely and your mother-in-law has a beautiful view out those windows.

I wondered where you'd disappeared to on the other blog, so I came skipping over to this blog to check in on you. :>)

Kim said...

How nice that the staff went to extra trouble to make it a better holiday, especially for those residents whose family don't come around.

My mom and her co-workers at the restaurant always made sure those regular customers with no family were invited somewhere for the holidays... they divided up the folks and each waitress always had 2-3 extras at the table. I didn't know that wasn't the norm for most families until I was almost an adult.

Rebekah said...

Love that setting. Very picturesque