Becoming More Thankful on Thanksgiving Day

Starting a day at 4 A.M. isn't easy, but sometimes it has to be done. As I began the day, I realized that I had no family nearby. All my relatives live at least 90 miles away, some more but none less. I wasn't feeling very ambitious as my fiancé escorted me outside to "see me off".

On the drive to work, I thought about the long hours in store for me. I was to work until 10 P.M. (and that was IF my relief showed up on time). I took another gulp of coffee and tried to mentally prepare for the long Thanksgiving Day.

I arrived at work, received report, counted drugs, and made assignments for the nursing assistants that I would spend the day working with. After doing that, I began making rounds while mentally organizing my "to do" list.

Being responsible for thirty patients is a huge responsibility. Today, my duties included caring for those 30 ranging in age from the mid twenties to late 90s. Every one of them having been placed in this facility because they had no family or other resources to stay at what they previously considered home. For whatever reason and the reasons greatly varied, they were there and this was now their home.

I knocked on each door and waited for a response before entering. For those that could not respond, I waited a few seconds and entered. Upon entrance, I immediately reminded them of my name because many can not remember it. I greeted everyone with "Happy Thanksgiving. I am going to be spending the WHOLE day with you. I will be your nurse until 10 tonight." Some responded with "Not me. I'm going to visit my family today." Others responded with "Oh good" or "Okay". And still others responded with no words at all.

As the day progressed, I saw some of the patients leave for an "outing" with their family or friends. The joy on their faces was priceless as they were signed out. Others had visitors throughout the day and were kept very entertained.

However, what struck me the most were those that had no visitors and no one to take them on an outing. I spent my free time, talking with them. Sometimes I would hold their hand while we talked. Other times, I would exercise their joints while talking with them. There were others that could carry on a conversation alone, so I just let them talk about the "old days" and would listen to their many stories.

I learned so much about many of them. I viewed their little living spaces and meager belongings and realized how much we take for granted everyday. I heard new stories, learned new things, and debated different views on politics and our world today.

I learned to be thankful for the things I take for granted. To be thankful that I do have a family that I can talk with everyday, if I choose. To be thankful for my good health. To be thankful that I have a job. To be thankful that I can still communicate. To be thankful that I can enjoy a day outdoors. There are so many things that I am thankful for.

But most of all, I learned that even though I didn't think I was going to be spending Thanksgiving with family, it turned out that I did. A family I didn't know existed until yesterday and for that I am thankful.