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I work in the elder care industry as a chef. I've been a chef all my life, hiding in the back, slaving away over a fire. The culinary industry is a hard line of work and has a tendency to bring the worst out of people. The elder care industry was, what I thought to be, an opportunity to surround myself with more positivity while stille doing what i'm passionate about.
During your on-boarding they make one thing clear right off the bat. That is: don't get attached to the residents and don't treat them any different than you'd treat a normal person. It may sound heartless, but the elderly unfortunately don't have much time left... their wick is shorter than ours. Getting close to them will only bring you hurt. So that has been something i've done well. Provide the best care and food and experience I can bring to these residents but from an arms length, for both of our sakes.
I was lucky enough to be chosen to work at our cafe, which is for the most part an in-house diner. Realistically, it's a closet where we serve sandwiches from, bit there are tables and seats and once a week I was lucky enough to serve them. I would make their food and two residents would volunteer their afternoon to take orders, walk the food to the tables, and fill drinks (mostly it was their opportunity to feel like they were working again.)
Mike was one of those residents that volunteered his time to help. Right off the bat you could tell why. This man could talk his way out of prison. He was hilarious, friendly, was incredible at reading the room, and always made you feel like he was interested in what you were saying. He brought a smile to everyone he spoke but every smile was for a different reason. He was pure positivity.
At the time we met had just ended a 7 year long relationship, that my heart still hasn't healed from. I was hurting, but could never show it... a man's burden. I would come to work everyday with my cup of coffee and my straight serious face and just keep moving, moving through the day and soaking in my sorrows. Mike was one of the only people to approach me with a smile on his face, a glint in his eye, and an out-stretched hand. He just wanted to get to know me, and have a laugh doing it.
That man passed away today. He like everyone else, doesn't know my pain. But unlike everyone else he just wanted to make my day, and everyone elses day better. Whether it was a joke and a handshake, or just a nod and a smirk, he just made things better.
I'm not a religious man, and I know he made his jokes about religion, but where-ever he is now, I hope his pain is gone. I hope his worry is gone. I hope he still has that same smile and laugh. I hope I meet him again someday. And I hope he knows how much he meant to everyone around him. RIP Mike
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Dear God,
I've never believed in much. It has been almost exclusively what was right in front of me. Today was different, today I need a message to go further than what I...
R. I. P.
ReplyOne minute of silence on novni for the loss of an amazing person.
ReplyI'm very sorry.
ReplyYou don't have to be religious; religion is man-made and sadly... nothing divides like religion.
One of God's greatest gifts to us is free will... and in nations where free will is respected and you will not be beheaded simply for refusing to submit to the national religion free will is the true test of faith... no religion required. Another one of God's gifts to us is love.
Why do we have so much faith in love, something we cannot prove exists, something we cannot hold, sell or buy; something no scientist anywhere in the world will find in our autopsy next to our last meal or the disease that ravaged us, a force so powerful we are willing to die for it... or for lack of it.
Courtesy notice: the following includes a reference to a book that contains writings over 2000 years old which are mostly parables about human nature, both vile human nature as well as moral human nature, parables that are meant to teach us to learn and grow. No religion required, and better yet: no public displays of devotion required. Some bullies will label this "trolling", so "change the channel" now if of no interest to you.
John 4:8 ESV
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Reply