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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Living the Life of Riley

Most of you know that I work in an extended care facility. You may not know that my daughter Heather also works there. She is going to college and works part time in the dietary department. Another thing you probably don't know is that this week is National Dietary Appreciation Week. Heather was working last night and when she came home she told Bob and I that we had to stay where we were and listen to a poem she was going to read to us. I assumed this poem was something that was written for the dietary department as part of the appreciation goings on. (They do things for each department during their week, like posting signs and banners, and sometimes even poems!) She said to me "You will know who this is from, when you hear it". So I sat back and listened to this:

She always comes in so very smiley,
It's only because she has the life of Riley.
We all know she is good at vacation,
every other week she is traveling the nation.
When others push on like an upstream barge,
She's sitting home, living large.
As we task and toil to take care of the mess,
She's sitting back, relaxing like a princess.

I immediately knew this poem was for me, not Heather. There is a nurse aid that I work with who teases me every time I have a day off, and says I am on another vacation. She tells me that actually my life is a vacation. When she came to work yesterday and realized I had the day off, she decided to write a poem and pass it to Heather. They all had a good laugh and so did I. I must say that compared to her, my life is easy. She is a wife and Mom, she is working full time and going to nursing school. Her husband lost his job and hasn't been able to find anything permanent, so she is trying to help out her family and as you can see, she is maintaining a good sense of humor while doing it. I must defend myself just in case you believe that poem. We are in need of another nurse and in the meantime, the rest of us are working extra. Tomorrow I will be working my second 12 hour shift in a week. If you know any good nurses, send them my way, so I can go back to sitting with my feet up and eating bonbons!


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15 comments:

Diane said...

HA! Can't really picture you sitting for very long doing nothing... not even eating bonbons! You're a great person and I can see why your co-workers like you so much (you know you're liked when you're picked on a lot - it was the only way I knew my "at-the-time-future" father-in-law liked me)!

A Stone Gatherer said...

I agree with Diane! I once had the father of an old boyfriend tell me "kimmy I only tease you because I love you" I told him not to love me so much. You must be well loved at work Mari! We know you are at church!

Unknown said...

That girl is something huh?? I like the poem she is clever...
I like the picture you added too. very nice. I'll see you tomorrow so we can slave together....

Megan Cobb said...

Nurses and other healthcare workers really seem to get close and enjoy one another so much. It seemed that way when my mom was in nursing as well. Y'all deserve the blessing of close, caring friends at work... what you do is difficult and so very important. You're among the few who can say what you do really is a matter of life and death, and for that, you'd have to have a good support system around you. hug hug hug.

Melissa said...

Oh yeah, I know how lazy you are at work!!! Just kidding! Great poem too! And guess what? I get to work tomorrow, so I'll get to see your smiling face!!! Have a great day!

Saija said...

i am impressed that you still have time to blog & read blogs - commenting too! wow!

hope you guys get some extra help! 2 of my sisters are in the health care field ... well maria, used to be until she became disabled ... but our baby sis (who could be my child - she is 31) works in a small hospital in northern manitoba as a practical nurse ... my mom is a practical nurse too ...

anyway, Riley - oops, Mari, hope you have a good sleep so you can be bubbly & joyful all day tomorrow! ((hugs))

The Birds Nest said...

That is too funny! Go on with your bad, bon-bon eating self!!! Glad to see people having a good time with life!!!

Anonymous said...

Too funny---my husband thinks I sit around and eat bon bons too! :)
I bet you are great which is why she wrote that in your honor.

Cheri said...

It is true- I think that's our families mantra- we only tease you becasue we love you!

You do work really hard- you don't have to defend yourself- we all know it!

Anonymous said...

We have to love our co-workers. This sounds just like something my work friends would do.

Any wife/mother who works outside of the home knows that there just are never enough hours in our days (especially when we try to add blogging to our schedule :)

Rmomof3 said...

Very Cute!

Laura said...

That's funny! You don't get too many days off though I'd have to say. And you're a hard worker.

I've grown up with everyone telling me that too "We tease you because we love you..." Uh huh.

Anonymous said...

Ha! I know first hand how hard you work!! you deserve to have a vacation! thats one thing i miss is the fun we all had together:)

Bonnie said...

What a funny poem ! I love it !! Hope you enjoy those bon bons !!

Terri said...

Did you eat all those bonbons by yourself? I didn't see you take any along today to share with us.