Call Me Red

It was my last day of work. Dont get me wrong i was sad, i had learned more from this job than any other and made close friends but on this particular night i wasn't happy. My final shift i was accompanied by two of my fellow employees, yet on this night they were feeling particularly lazy. they sat and chatted about their weekends leaving me to pick their slack. I was pissed. My body was sore and i had one last resident to help in to bed before i could sit down and finish folding laundry or do the last bit of paper work for the night. As i situated Joes blankets and adjusted his heating pad my bitterness got the best of me. I was tired and the injustice of the night made me want to walk out of this place for good. Joe, the night owl of the home smiled at me. Still a fairly new resident, made me unsure of his nightly routine. Ever since his first lunch at the home he affectionatly nicknamed me "Red". Whether the reason being my name is hard to remember or if its because my hair is what distinguished me from all the other caregivers, i accepted it. As Joe Pulled at his pillow he admits a roumor he has heard. "I heard you were getting married and leaving us." I was taken aback wondering how a resident could have possibly heard that i was quitting. I smiled at Joe asking his where he heard that. Seeming to ignore my question Joe continues to talk, i dont really remember specifics just that it was about his life, his job, his family, his younger years. I began to get impatient. Tapping my foot i tried to look interested even though my mind was a thousand different places. As he lay in his small twin bed tears trickled from his eyes and i was jerked back to reality. His words came back into focus in my mind. He was talking of his late wife. As a young bride to be his story of his wife and their love hit me hard. he looked at me suddenly and said "Love each other so much, red, dont ever be mad at each other for small things because you never know what could happen. be good to each other. I'm sad to see you go, but you're a good girl and i am proud to call you my nurse." The frail old man laying in the bed earnestly spoke these words. "Now get outta here, Red!" He said with a chuckle wiping his eyes. I caught a sob in my throatas i exited his room and walked slowly down the hall taking the time to listen to his words still ringing in my ears.

Taking the time to listen means the world to people and because they are over a certain age does not mean that changes. Guilt rides me still about the times that i didnt take the time to listen or i selfishly wanted to go home but i will never forget Joe's words to me. I will always remember Joe, he is a reason i love the elderly and i want to spend my life listening to them and letting them know they are not a burden. they are my window to God.