plethora of thoughts...

Hi there friends. I am excited to announce that it is Friday!! After a long week of work... it's finally friday. Which, now that I think of it, means fairly nothing being that I have to work all weekend.

Today was our father's day picnic at work (in a 150 bed facility, there are only about 30 male residents). The rest of the TR (therapeutic recreation) team and I gathered up the guys and headed out to the back lawn where they were treated like the kings they are. Beer, chips and a good ol' cigar... Father's day at it's finest. While watching the 90 year old men puff away at their generic Target stogies, I realized something about my job. You see... lately, I have been a little frustrated with my current position. It's a good gig, don't get me wrong... I basically get paid to hang out with people... which I might say, I'm pretty good at ;) I do feel like I am using my spiritual gifts to improve the lives of the residents... BUT... I'm not certain, at this point, if this job improves MY life at all. Now, I don't mean that in an awkward selfish kind of way (although it sounds mighty awkward AND quite selfish)... I just didn't want to be 30 and stuck in a job that isn't teaching me anything, a job that's not allowing me to grow. As I sat in the sun this afternoon talking to Herman about his time as a dentist during the Great Depression, I looked around and saw Delbert with his wife of 65 years laughing and carrying on as if they were newlyweds. I saw Tom telling stories of how his time in the war was the only time he's ever known true humility . I watched Gail dance the 'Charleston' from her wheelchair because "you only live once so why not live it up". As I slowly scanned the circle of what seemed to me to be most interesting people I have ever met... I realized that this job is far more than a 'good gig'. Singing hymns with Bernice, writing life-stories with Arlo, exchanging witty repartee with Gerry... those are all things that make it seem like I am the one improving lives. It was only today, over the pungent scent of generic cigars, that I came to realize MY life is the one thing being improved. I don't know how long I will stay at Martin Luther Manor, but I do know that I will leave there changed ... and for that, I am grateful.

For now, I am going to spend some time playing guitar. I haven't written anything in a while and I fear I may be losing that passion. Perhaps the next hour or so is what I need to recharge... either that... or a muse.

Goodnight friends,
Tempa

Think on this... (similar to random thought of the day, but perhaps a bit more introspective)
The one thing we all truly long for is to no longer long for anything.