Grumpus: You hit the nail on the head about work.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse in a nursing home, and am still in school to get my Associate's Degree in Nursing (equal to a Registered Nurse), and deal with numerous elderly people in the course of a shift.
I stand on my feet for darned near the whole shift, and deal with many, many difficulties and traumas most of the time. The elderly are not easy to work with, as most of the ones I take care of are in end-stages of their diseases, and most of them have regressed mentally to about a 5 year old mentality, so it is like dealing with children in old bodies.
Many of them have lost control of most of their body functions, and must be cared for like babies.
It is not a glorious job, nor is it a clean job. In many ways it is a heartbreaking job, when you stand and watch a beautiful old lady who was a powerhouse in her day, try to get the words out that she needs to go to the bathroom, and her mind or her mouth just won't cooperate. Or you watch an old man, who might have been a war hero, sit in a chair and drool while he tells you fascinating stories of when the WAR was won.....
It is both a joy and a sorrow to work with the elderly, and some days takes more out of you than you really want to give. But most of us in this profession wouldn't change what we do for the world.
Besides the fact that we are privileged to share a small part of the life of an older person, we deal with many family members, and we have to put ourselves in their places, and watch while they hurt over the fact that Mom or Dad no longer recognizes their face, and continues to ask, "Who are you?" when they have been your parent forever.
When one of my patients dies, it is like a part of my own family has died. You can't help but get attached when you work so closely with them day after day. We cry right along with the family, and most of us go to the funerals, too.
My job isn't an easy one, but in so many ways it is the only job I would ever want. It is so fulfilling, and in so many ways I can see what a difference I have made in a patient's life, when you give them a hug and get a smile in return.
So, you bet I will continue to crow about my job! One of the best parts of it, besides being a part of so many lives, is knowing that I can once again provide for my own children in a way that makes a difference. It is very hard to be a parent and be helpless to provide even the basics that we all need.
Like STARK said, too, it is really hard to be without a job, even if all you have to provide for is your own needs. When you have other people who depend on you, it is harder yet.
Job satisfaction is great, but being able to provide for those you love is the best part.
Off my soapbox now!MRed
(fixed a tag - Zen)[This message has been edited by Angel Zen (edited 06-19-2000).][This message has been edited by MRed94 (edited 06-19-2000).]