Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
2012 ~ I wrote this true story about Nicole. She wrote this:
This story makes my heart smile!! Looking back and seeing the difference i made in peoples life helps me sleep well at night. Never forget where you started hard work and dedication will always pay off in the long run!!
JUST REMEMBER THIS!
**WORK FOR A CAUSE, NOT APPLAUSE. LIVE LIFE TO EXPRESS, NOT TO IMPRESS. DON'T STRIVE TO MAKE YOUR PRESENCE NOTICE, JUST MAKE YOUR ABSENCE FELT!!
I wrote the below message in 2012 ~
THE GIRL BEHIND THE FRONT DESK ~
People come and people go inside of a building. Often taking for granted the person behind the front desk. That person, would be the first impression you have of a human in that building. Being human, brings all types of attitudes and the importance of the job seems to go unnoticed. UNLESS ~ you see with different eyes. It is not just a job with a title, but a heart felt position that can not be held back. Like a shining star in the sky, if you have the right person doing that position.
If you have followed by blog, you will know that I am writing a book on grief and taking you through the journey of my mom's daily life. Seven days a week, I face the care home. Seven days a week I never know what I will see or deal with as I walk through those doors. Days of tears in my heart and yet making others laugh as I visit others. It helps me to get through this hard process called life.
Your job and your life makes a difference far beyond your knowledge!
Five days a week, I walk through the doors to see a SMILE that I can not describe. A person who is very busy and directs people to their loved ones as they enter the building. People walking through the doors with a heaviness on their hearts and many with tears in their eyes. A cute little voice saying, "How many I help you?" Her name is Nicole and I will never forget her smile or kindness. There are days when I actually dread going to the care home but I know somebody their, actually cares about me too. Nicole always ask, "how are you today?" It makes a difference when people care and show it.
After sitting in the front lobby of the care home, I see people come and people go. I see nice attitudes and I see attitudes that stink. I see people who actually love their jobs and people who seem angry because they are there. Who really knows what goes on inside of each of them but they are human. Humans with real lives outside of the care home. So I take the time to pray for them. Pray for the ladies in the front offices, the staff that works directly with each person, the families of the people and mostly, the aging people themselves.
I love Aggie (93) who lives there. She says she is teaching me the fin language. I have no ideal what she is saying but we laugh together. I tell her she is beautiful every time I go. She tells me,"your beautiful Sparkie". We start laughing because I said, "how you do know I'm beautiful, you can not see very well". She said, "I look on the inside Sparkie, I love you". A little aging lady that has made such a difference in my life.
Ok, I got side tracked. Lets go back to the five days a week story. There are two days a week that nobody sits on the front desk. What a difference that makes when I walk through the doors. Plus, no ladies in the front offices to smile either. It is as if, the joy is gone on the weekends. I wish I knew the owners of this place, I would tell them, hire a weekend person. When you first come there, you are lost inside and each day only seems to get worse to many. One person at the front desk makes a huge difference. One smile or one answered question is actually one less pressure to handle. It may not seem like much to others but it is a huge factor for me. So I take a deep breathe and I recall the face of the girl on the front desk. She will be back on Monday and the joy of the place shines again along with the ladies in the front offices.
I see how Nicole actually cares about all people who walk through the doors. I also see that she has a real life and I let her know that I care about her too. I pray that all people who work in care homes know this, they are their to make the aging not feel old as well. It help the process of family and friends handle the part of life with a smile. I see many who love the aging person like it is their family member.
There is a young girl in the activities department that is amazing. I watch her as she talks to the aging. She treats them with respect. Often times, aging people don't get respect. They are told what to do and when to do it. It is as if their freedom has been taken away. One day, they do things for themselves and one day, they go back to diapers and cry inside. Who hears them? Who hears me? Who treats other like they would like to be treated? The girl at the front desk does. I walked in one day to find three people at her desk. She said, "look Sparkie at my friends". They were just sitting there and she was doing her work. Impressive "OH YES".
I will stay focus on all the Nicole's of the world right now. Don't think your job is just a girl or guy behind the front desk. You are a guide and director of people. You reach far beyond the room number of a hurting loved you. You are a much needed smile and help to many. Combined with each person there, the doctors, the nurses, the cooks, and all the titles of others, you are the front person who helps the broken.
My prayers continues for each of you. My heart thankful for people who care about people. Who take a job but make it a lifestyle of joy to the broken. I can tell who cares and who don't care for the most part. If we could only treat others like we would want to be treated. Nicole along with many others at the care home, does that. I will never forget the KINDNESS shown to me and others from the years of Golden Living.
Yesterday, I had a meeting with Hospice Care for my mom. I know all about Hospice because of my brother dying on Christmas Day years ago and I knew it was time to talk to them. I forgot to eat lunch and ask Nicole for something small. She open her drawer and got me a something that would work for me. By that time, I had a headache, my heart pounding and tears inside my heart. The meeting was about to begin for my mom. I believe she could tell and she has this amazing way to make me smile.
So Nicole, and to all the Nicoles of the world, THANK YOU for caring and making such a hard time easier by being the one at the front desk. I only wish they had someone at the front desk like you on weekends to smile. That would be a great job to have, a welcome person like Walmart. A greeter job to the dying and hurting. Justa big HI, welcome and how can I help you job ~ Sparkie
UPDATE ~ 2016
My mom now rest in Heaven with Aggie and others were lived here. Nicole continues to help others at a different location. God is good in connection lives for a season and forever. As for you, my prayers continue for your family and friends. I do care about the readers of my blog and I thank you for taking time to read this. Planting hope and seeing things difference is so important. Thank you again Nicole for posting this reminder. My heart is happy!
My prayers continue for the readers of my blog, your family and friends!
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