This year I spent Easter at the hospital. (At work, not admitted!) I just finished a nice little three day stretch over the weekend and now I’m in recovery mode. It’s really crazy how just three shifts can knock you on your butt! During those three days I feel like I disappear from the rest of the world for a little while. Life becomes sleep, eat, work, sleep again.
This gets me a little bummed when work falls around holidays because it’s like the holiday never really even happens. For some reason, this year I was feeling especially sad to be stuck at the hospital. Easter is one of my favorites and it was a beautiful sunny weekend here in Seattle.
Somewhere in the midst of feeling sorry for myself, reality smacked me in the face. I was standing outside the room of a patient who was doing very poorly and had a quick check in conversation with mom. They were in the middle of a pretty risky procedure and her eyes were glued to the situation on the other side of the glass. I asked if she was feeling ok watching and wanted to make sure she didn’t need anything. She said she was fine and explained that she felt like she NEEDED to watch. Then she laughed quick and said, “I don’t think he (her son) is going to like Easter very much in the future. Easter eggs and bunnies probably won’t be his favorite.” Ouch.
Here I am pouting about not being home for Easter brunch while this mom is standing here in the middle of a real life nightmare.
I’m so thankful for a job that brings me back down to earth every once in a while (or lately every shift)! I may not have been able to celebrate with family or friends, but I was able to come home and sleep in my bed. I laid my head down knowing my family was happy and healthy. THAT, is a blessing I need to remember to never take for granted.
I hope you and your family had a wonderful weekend however you spent it.
