Moving through.....life.........
I attended a "Code Blue Review" class @ work today. It was good to learn [again] that "stuff"; by coincidence there was a code and a few classmates went upstairs to participate (sidebar: the gentleman did not make it).
It is quite rainy and cold today in Eastern VA.
On the way home, I saw a somewhat unusual sight for this area, a homeless person with a sign stating "No Money, No Food, Please help, God Bless" [paraphrased]. I have seen this sight in Baltimore often. I know there are homeless people in my area, but the "metropolitan" spots are so spread out here, and the area is populated by cars more that foot traffic, one doesn't see the homeless [walking around] often, at least I don't.
I was on my way to Trader Joe's for some groceries. I was sitting at the light and she [the homeless person] was in my passenger side mirror. I sat there thinking about the rain and cold and nursing and helping people and how whenever I see someone homeless, I don't have money or food in my car, and how I've often wanted to spontaneously help.
I got to TJ's, and quickly purchased my basic groceries and picked up food that would be nutritious and be easily packed and carried: a loaf of bread, a package of roast beef sandwich meat; a package of string cheese, 2 bananas, 2 apples. I bagged the groceries for her separately. I went back down the road and she was still there (of course - where is she going to go on this wet cold day?). I did a U turn; I pulled up next to her, put down the automatic passenger side window, called out to her and handed her the bag, told her what was in it. She thanked me. I know the people behind me saw it happen. Then she ambled off into the woods - really a patch of undeveloped land.
Then....
I tried to put up my window, it didn't go up, it's raining and cold; I have a 30 minute drive ahead of me to get home. I pulled into a restaurant and went in asking for a plastic bag and tape. The young hostess happily assisted me. As I was in the parking lot, another restaurant employee assisted me. I began to drive home w/ a plastic bag making a lot of noise flapping in the "wind" and that lasted about 15 minutes. I made another stop to try to adjust the bag, moments later to no avail. Then I stopped again (3rd time), took the bag off and rigged up a "car blanket" over the window (you know, the blankets you keep in the trunk for just such an "emergency"). I made it home, passenger interior relatively dry. I made a "stop-in" appointment at Honda tomorrow to try and get the window at least up....but all this talk about the window really wanders away form the original topic and original intent of this posting.
What was the original intent? A random act of Kindness, thinking in other's shoes, wanting to help more [often].
Some of you will say: "But you do help, you're a nurse!" Yes, true. However, I don't see [immediately] I how much I help. Yes, I give comfort, pain meds, etc. I give discharge instructions and hope the patient follows our recommendations...but I don't often see [later] if all that helped....
Now I could launch into a discussion on "taking it on faith"....however, I shall stop for now and continue "discussion" later. Peace and Health to you all. Love!
p.s. the Bradford Pear trees are blooming, and what a lovely sight!
