Good for you, dharma. You're performing a service that is truly, truly necessary. You're helping change people's lives.

Thumbs up.

Thanks, San Chon.  I'm not very good at accepting compliments, they make me uncomfortable.  I was given so many this weekend I was about squirming, and I was 'god bless'-ed more times than I can count....but they were all sincere, so I tried to be as gracious as I could, and I just said 'thank you' and pressed on.

This weekend, despite being challenging at times, has been an incredibly positive experience and has only served to make me want to be more involved with hospice and pallative care.

 

I'm glad you've (re)learned that you're good at this. The way your heart overflows with affection and concern for those around you makes this work such a good fit for you.

And you are blessed (it's just perception that says where the gifts come from).

I'm glad you have found this skill to comfort others in their time of need.  From my interactions with you here, this compassion and ability to empathize does not surprise me in the least. 

It sounds like perhaps you have found your purpose on this little ball of mud. I'm happy for you.

I'm glad you've (re)learned that you're good at this. The way your heart overflows with affection and concern for those around you makes this work such a good fit for you

Thank you.  I think that I had forgotten, you know?  I had forgotten that this just seems to come naturally to me....that I have a knack for it. 

Sometimes that overflowing heart gets me into trouble; I end up investing so much emotional energy into other people and their problems that I forget to leave enough for myself - and then I end up crashing and burning and get myself into a such a state that I can barely function.  I'm learning, though.  For instance, this morning a person I'm acquainted with (and I do mean acquainted, we're not bosom buddies) called and wanted to vent about a problem she's having.  Fate intervented and she got another call, so I took my phone off the hook and went and took a shower.  I don't feel good about doing it, but.....I simply wouldn't have been able to deal with it and would have ended up crashing and burning.

From my interactions with you here, this compassion and ability to empathize does not surprise me in the least.

Thank you, Dev.

 

It sounds like perhaps you have found your purpose on this little ball of mud

I'm thinking the same thing.  Now all I have to do is figure out how I can make it a paying gig.....

It is always good to see affirmation of what you are doing, but we really never doubted you do make a difference.

True compassion is a wonderful gift. So wonderful that you have found what you are meant to do.

Now all I have to do is figure out how I can make it a paying gig.....

I don't know if you are interested in going back to school to become an RN but I have a relative who is a hospice nurse. She loves her job but I do think it takes a special person to be there for those in transition. That would be one way to get paid to do what you do.

It is always good to see affirmation of what you are doing, but we really never doubted you do make a difference.

I did.  It's easier to stand on the outside and say that I made a difference, but it's not so easy to see the difference you make when you're actually in the midst of things.

Thank you for your confidence, though!

True compassion is a wonderful gift. So wonderful that you have found what you are meant to do.

Some days I have a hard time finding compassion - and it's hard to be compassionate with someone who's ideals are totally different than you own.  However, i think that working to find that compassion is a really good thing and can only serve to make me a better person.

And yes, I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have found something that I feel I am born to do.

 

I don't know if you are interested in going back to school to become an RN

I've thought about it, but right now Dave's career is the primary concern.  He's going to be going on fly aways, sometimes with very little notice, and I can't commit to being in school every day when we have kids to think about.  Maybe once the kids are all old enough to look after themselves - in a couple of years, maybe - but not right now.