Nurse In the Neighborhood

I have an interesting neighborhood where I am surrounded by a lot of single women who live by themselves. Most have children that are grown up from a previous marriage and grandkids to keep them busy, but it has allowed me to form alot of friendships with these women even though they are 25-40 years older than me. And for Jay to be on call for anything heavy that they need lifted :)

The relationship that has the most highlights is with Pat. My guess is she is in her mid 60's. She lives down the street and is alone with her wheat terrier dog named Bailey. We met shortly after we moved in due to the dogs. I stop with Chance on our walks whenever Bailey is out and the dogs play. Pat also goes on middle of the night walks between 11pm and 1am with Bailey because she doesnt put Bailey on a leash and likes to walk him when no one is out. If I let chance out front at a late hour they end up running into each other. Pat is full of stories about Bailey, who is her pride and joy. Any run-in with her results in at least a 30 min conversation about the dogs and the latest neighborhood drama. She does not bring up her personal life that often, but will occasionally let something slip for me to piece together. I learned tonight that she was in a car wreck 8 years ago with her neice and it has caused her alot of physical problems. I was able to refer her to 3 doctors and give her phone numbers due to the profession I work in. She looked at me in awe, that our random meeting had turned into a prayer answered. She kept shaking her note pad with the numbers I wrote down saying that I was an angel and that our frienship was sent from God. I knew that when I met her there was a reason, and I think that God has shed some of that reasoning tonight.

Pat sent me home with a tomatoe and 3 peppers from her garden, but the best thing that I took away from the conversation was how I was able to help and to see the relief that spread across her face when she realized that she had someone who could help point her in some of the directions she needed to go for her health. The comfort I was able to provide reaffirmed why I want to become a Nurse.

NCTC pleeeease let me in to your nursing program!


-- Heather