An Old Pair of Shoes

A Mary T. Lathrap poem published in 1895 birthed a reminder to practice empathy: Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. 

Empathy I have in spades but it has to be said that patience was out of stock when the genetic mix of my creation was brewing. In short - I have none! 

Which is why I've so quickly realised how far I've come with personal development since beginning this chapter as a professional Carer. Even I can appreciate how my tether has expanded and stretched over the horizon as I slowly breathe and relax through watching a dear old lady struggle with the thought process of deciding whether or not she'd like a cup of tea. Or where the gravy should be poured over her lunch. Or whether she is warm enough or needs a cardigan. 

The Carer mindset has invaded my body on a cellular level to the point where I understand there is a process operating at a leisurely pace and frankly, why shouldn't it? Where has dashing about really got us? 

Another lesson taken on board is appreciation for an able body. Suddenly, the lumps and bumps, cellulite, crinkles and wrinkles don't feature as star attractions when thinking about my corporeal being. It works. I can stretch, reach, bend, sit, kneel, crouch, walk, climb stairs and even break into a lumbering run of sorts if pressed. Without thinking and with minimal preparation as well. Sure, I heave myself up off the floor and often grab onto something to assist the lift but overall, my body works just fine. It's operating better today than it will be in the future and grateful for this I am, especially when watching my poor clients struggle with movements I don't even think about.

It's been good to spend time with people still possessed of sharpness of wit and their own teeth at 97 years of age. It gives me hope!

One thing I'm not enjoying, though, and can't get my head around is the misery of interrupted sleep. Nor have I developed the ability to nod off quickly. Night after night, I lie awake between calls anxiously telling my buzzing brain to switch off NOW. That is something I envy my clients - their ability to doze off at any time, then wake up and continue reading the paper, eating or carry on with whatever they were doing when the urge to snooze overcame them.

Still, all things being equal, experiencing the reality of life for people in their 8th or 9th decade is a sharp reminder that this, too, lies in our path and I honestly and truly hope that folks will show great forbearance and understanding when I dither and dother over the choice of cream or ice-cream with my fruit salad. Especially when the answer is ALWAYS fresh Jersey double thick cream!