So I looked and noticed I missed a blog. The spring break blog. So, here it goes.
I thought I'd talk about my job working with a woman with ALS for this one.
Her name was Nan. She was the most amazing, beautiful, happy-go-lucky woman I've ever met. When I first met her, she was so far into her disease that she wasn't able to talk. I remember walking into her house, smelling the fresh plants in there, and seeing her silly little fish greet me by jumping out of the water and splashing around. She sat me down and got her computer out. She then started talking through it. She named her voice "Heather", because it was a sexy woman's voice. She immediately made me laugh and put a smile on my face. I had dealt with older people, but I had never known how to deal with someone with a degenerative disease such as this one. Throughout the nine months I worked with her, I ran errands, got groceries, did yard work, cleaned, and did whatever I could to help make her life easier. She loved chatting, too. She consistently had people visiting her, and when she didn't, her and I would joke around. I fell in love with this woman. After I stopped caring for her and she needed a full time nurse, I got so busy that I never had time to see her. One day, I just decided to go. It was a little awkward at first because the nurse had no idea who I was. Once I saw Nan's face, she lit up and got teary eyed. I wanted to cry. She looked so much weaker, but she still had that beautiful, bright smile. I loved her for it.
This woman taught me that no matter how hard life is, or what crappy situation you may be in, you can always find joy. There is always a smile to look forward to. You need to appreciate the little things in life. Though Nan was a very small part in my life, and for a short period of time, she taught me an amazing amount. She is one of the reasons I strive to be happy. I strive to be a good person to all people. It's beautiful how one person can change your life so drastically. I love you Nanny-girl, and boy do I miss you, but I want to thank you for being such an inspiration. You are, and always will be, one of the bright lights in my life. :)
