A Day in the Life: Surprises Abound

Since I'm on spring break this week, I came down to Taylor Manor on Monday to help Sr. Mary Faustina with some computer projects. It's always nice to have a change of scenery and see what our Sisters in Versailles are up to. That's one of the things that I really enjoy about being in IT; it really allows me to be mobile and I always have something to do no matter where I go.

Yesterday morning, though, I was not working on computers. Sister had a training meeting, so she corralled me and asked if I would help out with the podiatrist. So, I spent an hour and a half assisting our residents with shoe removal and replacement, and tried to keep everyone entertained and happy while they waited for their turn to see the doctor. You never know what you will find yourself doing!

Chapel at Taylor Manor

At one point, I was very much interested in going into the medical field and when I entered the community, I actually thought I might end up becoming a nurse. Then during my stint at Taylor Manor four years ago, when I was a Novice, someone almost threw up on me while I was feeding them. I didn't quite drop to my knees and beg Mother not to put me into nursing, but it was close to that. In the last couple of weeks, though, I've suddenly noticed that a lot of the things that used to bother me don't really present a problem anymore. Working with our residents yesterday proved that, because a couple of years ago I would have been very much out of my element in that situation.

As I was kneeling on the floor and removing shoes or putting them back on, I realized just what a gift it was to me, to be able to do that for someone. Such a simple thing, an easy thing that most of us probably don't even think about as we slip our feet our sneakers and walk out the front door. Yet, here is this man or this woman sitting there thanking you for helping them with such a little thing as putting on their shoes. It was a very profound experience and one that I won't forget anytime soon.

Who knows... If the IT thing ever stops working out, maybe I wouldn't run and hide if Mother decided to send me to nursing school... Maybe. ;)