From My Desk To Your Mind II

As I sit at my desk and ponder the time of my residents’ lives while signing off for billing under Medicare and private insurance.

It makes me wonder, how can vitality slip away from us, where we are in the prime of our lives, year by year, knowledge and wisdom we gain, the past remains the key to our longevity.

Is their disparity in healthcare in lieu of providing short/long-term care. Is the myth really as predicated as I once have believed but turned my head to ignore the rules of its hidden regulations.

The cost effectiveness shaved unto the segmented of society of geriatric care.

Those that have the currency really makes the rules and those without, only stifle by without a clue.

I solemnly ponder, as I look upon faces, grey hairs nestled upon the scalp foretelling the wealth of lineage in those deep lines of time filled with laughter, regret, sorrow, or happiness.

Being the Interim Director of Nursing for non-profit Nursing and Rehabilitation Residential Health Organization my staff assured under my care is to oversee the population of geriatric care and maintain the vital wellbeing of their person.

And as I’m deterred in the hallways, prior to arriving to my office, held up by pushing bodies filled in wheelchairs humbly morning greetings for breakfast, slow moving walker in my pathway, trying to stretch those long-forgotten limbs, or walking by residential's rooms, who have been there as long as me; many for long term nursing care due to an unforeseen medical related issues, strokes, who has been left in my staff’s rehabilitation care.  

Casting my eyes upon dethroned appearances without the capacity of a no longer thriving mind, forgotten by loved ones, not even acknowledged by a card, a hug, kiss, or a soft caress.

This musing came to me as I look upon life as a blessed commodity rather than a civil duty. When you have placed yourself in someone else’s shoes, not by the fit, but by the core of heart, the delicate complexity of the mind, or the embodiment of their soul, you will come to realize, life is meant to be enjoyed, revered in kindness, echoed in laughter, and enjoyed as seen and experienced through the eyes of an innocent child.

I hear so many troubled horrific stories told from the onset of one's youth to adulthood, how minds have systemically become distorted in its way of thinking, failure to thrive in the real world.

Controlled dosages of scheduled classification medication to wake them up, calm them down, put them to sleep or a pill to change the molecular structure of the brain’s hemisphere, ping-ponging a zombified existence just to sound or appear normal to a society that could care less if you are sane, insane, coming or going.

Holding onto the cold hands, warm hearts layered with thin veiled blue vies, giving a reassuring pat to comfort to withering souls advising their turmoil minds they you have lived a great life, sitting in silence to sharing pictures that cannot hold memories once the mind forgets of a person suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia, and yes the intellect it is a terrible thing to waste, therefore, explore it to the fullest, learn something new, challenge it, and push it to the brink.

Time is the manufacture of how you use it or what you make of it, most will only realize there is not enough when the value of it has been shorten in age, or by the devastation of a terminal illness.

The old adage ‘live life like there's no tomorrow’ holds so much grace in its true when you do not know if you will cross over into one.

That is why I will always advise anyone to live your life to the fullest, like no one is watching, laugh, it is good for the soul, and cherish the moments when in the company of loved ones, time in not promised. and neither is the next breath.

In as much, when you look back, you want to smile in remembrance, pump your fist in glee, even in your darkest storms you never gave in, or you've never gave up. You will then discern the only baggage the soul has while breathing is nostalgia,

I’ve seen wrestling spirits on death beds, the ending of memories, and I have heard new parents' joy of their moments, in the beginning of new ones.

And no matter how much wealth the soul has accumulated through the course of their lifespan. No matter how poor the soul is in the toll of empty success. Eternal rest in the unknown is all that seems to matter and a soft hand with words of praise, letting ears know they have lived life their way, struggled in their time, have been the best they could have been and hopefully, have been an example to have assisted others.

Only a bitter heart, likes to sit in the reflective company of self, therefore, live, love, laugh, and enjoy yourself you only have one shot of life, please make it count in all you do and in all you say.

Have a blessed day world... it’s yours to enjoy and share your existence among others.

SKC, Interim DON, APRN