Nov. 15, 2011

Today was nice.  It was another day I had the opportunity to sleep in, which was especially nice.  This afternoon, my clinical group had our last actual community health clinical experience at an adult day-care.  It was so much fun!  We got to participate in chair Zumba, listen to healing music, and spent some time sitting and chatting with the participants.  We also had to take some vital signs and weights, as well as administer a geriatric depression test and mini-mental status exam.  Since there were only three mini-mentals/depression tests to give, we broke into three groups.  Our group had the sweetest, most upbeat little lady ever.  It was hard to keep her on task, though, because for nearly every question, she would say, "Well that's an interesting question," or "Well, that's tough to answer," and then go off on a long tangent, often unrelated to the question.  

I will say, though, that she had a very tough life, of which she shared so much with us.  I was left speechless from her stories and I nearly cried to hear how much this woman endured.  It was difficult to let her tell her story while try to keep her on task with the questions.  None of us wanted to interject or cut her off while she was talking, because she probably doesn't often get to tell her story, but at the same time, we didn't have all day to talk to her and get this information.  It was a difficult balancing act.  

In the end, she gave us all hugs and went on her merry way.  

Today, I actually have two things I am grateful for.  First, I am grateful for how relatively easy my life has been. I have had difficult times, as everyone does; but after hearing this remarkable lady's story, I feel so grateful for how good I have had it.  

And, one of the people responsible for how good I've had it--I am grateful for my MOM!  I was actually planning to say my thanks for her later on in this gratitude thing, closer to Thanksgiving, but seeing as how it is the day of her birth, I will give my thanks for her now!  She is such an amazing woman, and I look up to her very much.  She is a shining example to me of what a woman, a mother can be--strong, smart, kind, wise, and the list could go on forever.  She has always been there for me, even at times when, looking back, I probably didn't deserve her kindness and love.  I miss being able to spend time with her, although I am glad I get to talk to her as often as I do.  I love you, mom, and today and every day, I am grateful to have such an awesome woman to call "mom".