How a Nursing Home is like a College Dorm....

After a visit to a nursing home today to see my sweet Grandma (in-law), I kept thinking back to my college dorm life and thinking of the similarities. 

1. You have your own "nook".
You have your own little space in the room where you can hang pictures, posters, or anything else up to show that this is YOUR space. Make sure to keep these close to your bed so that is the last thing you look at before you go to sleep.

2. Roommates
You're lucky enough to live in the same room as another person. This may work out to your advantage, or not.  You're lucky if it's a friend or someone that you enjoy spending time with .... you're not lucky if it's someone that doesn't stop talking, is not on the same sleep schedule, or just plain ANNOYS you.

3. Dining Hall
Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all you have to do is go to the nearest dining hall for some food.  It may not be what you enjoy eating, but you don't have to cook it or clean up after it.  Score!

4. Someone in Charge
You have these nurses (or RA's) to come in and check on you whenever needed. They're job is to make sure you stay under control, and aren't breaking too many rules.

5. Your loved ones abandon you.
Your loved ones will come visit, spend some time with you, and may even take you off the premises ..... but at the end of the day, you always end up back in that same "nook" in the same bed with the same crazy roommate(s)!

There's nothing quite like a nursing home visit to inspire a blog post. This poor "roommate" of Grandma's was very worried about paying insurance bills today.  She asked me at least 15 times while I was there if I would be working tomorrow because she needed to write me a check for what she owed me.  The conversation between her and Grandma was quite the sight to see!

Seeing Grandma always makes my heart happy!  This is the first time I've been to see her by myself, and it was the true test to see if she knew who I was.  It took a little bit but she definitely remembered me as an association to Robert.  She is the sweetest lady, and she means so much to me.

I took her a copy of this picture today, so she'll always have Peanut to look at :)

God bless those  people who work in nursing homes! I'm not sure I could do it although I work with 5 and 6 year olds each day, and their similarities may just make for another blog post!

Catching Up

I've been putting this blog on the back burner for the past couple of months.  I always have wonderful blogging ideas pop into my head, but I can never seem to find the time to document. I guess I've made progress in thinking that I don't always turn to this is my very low points as I did when I started this blog.

Weeks are crazy, weekends are even crazier and it seems I don't have much time to sit down and just write ... but get ready for true honesty....

This week has been so full of emotions for me.  I've cried more tears this week than I have in quite some time.  Why, you ask?  I wish I had the answer. 

Saturday, I went to the hospital to visit Laury after not seeing her for two weeks.  I walked into the room to her sitting in a recliner with the tv on and a smile on her face.  This one small moment meant so very much to me.  This is a woman that I love so dearly.  She means the world to me and I value everything about her and everything she is to me. She has been in the hospital for 3 and 1/2 months and I do believe Saturday was the most positive and upbeat that she has been since she went in there.  I also was able to watch her stand up from the chair (using a walker) and make it to the bed with very little help.  Last time I saw her stand up was a couple months ago and she had one person on each side to help her and she was SOO nervous.  The strength she's grown since then is just wonderful!  I can't wait until the day I can say she is leaving the hospital.  This has been a very long, long couple of months for her, but I know she will bounce back stronger than ever.  She is loved by many, many people and has 2 of the greatest Angels on her side!

I also visited some of Robert's (and my) friends this weekend.  I have not seen them since October and I missed them and their girls so much.  We were able to catch up and they showed me their new house.  I value the time I spend with them as well. I met them through Robert, but they continue to be wonderful friends and supporters to me. As soon as I pulled off of their street to head home, the tears just started flowing.  And the was the beginning of these emotions .... Being around them makes me miss Robert. I miss his presence, I miss having a driving buddy, and I just miss him.  Simple as that.

This week has been very trying for me.  I've been cussed out by a student (not one of mine) and felt disrespected by others. I've been working long days to get caught up and just feel like I'm wearing so thin..... 

When days like this start to get to me, I just have to remember my purpose.  I have 23 sweet kinders that greet me each day.  They test my patience at times but they are also there to hug me when I'm sad and worry when I'm gone.  Just this week, one student begged his mom to come to school because he "missed Ms. Roe and wants to learn". That, my friends, is what keeps me going. 

I also stayed at school until 6:30 tonight in hopes of getting some work done.  Did I get a lot accomplished? No!  But I did get to talk to some amazing coworkers who listened and shared their frustrations as well.  Thank goodness we have each other for support ... because some days I feel like that's all we have.

These little things seem to get me down until I stop and think.  I woke up this morning and my heart is still beating.  That, I must be thankful for because unfortunately, there are some people that have their life swept away from them way too soon.  I must find it in me to be thankful for the life I've been given and carry on with my head held high and finding the joy in each day.

Thank you, Robert, for helping and guiding me each day!