Not All Nursing Homes are Horrible

I have worked in a small town nursing home for over two-years and wonder why. I work with people who are grouchy, rude, and unpleasant to be around.. I am under paid and over worked. Some times, it seems no matter how hard I work or how much I go outside of my job duties, I am accused of not doing enough. It is the hardest job I have ever had—yet I stay. 

The first go round, I worked as a cook over three years ago. I only lasted nine months. This go round I have been there a little over two-years. Currently I am working as a housekeeper. In the time I have been at the nursing home, I have learned the names of every resident. Like everyone else, I have my favorites. 

For some reason I seem to be drawn to the stubborn ones. I like the ones who have no problems telling the nursing staff what they think. For privacy reasons I will not tell you their names, I will tell you a little about them because they are the most important part of my job. 

When I think of the nursing home, one resident in particular stands out. He stands out because he stands tall. If you have ever been inside a nursing home, you would understand why standing stall makes this man unique. We used to have a handful or so that stood tall, this man is about the only one left. 

If you give him a minute of your time, you will learn that he is a decorated war vet, an ex-baseball player, a coach, and more importantly, he has a family that loves him. If you give him a few more minutes, he might show you the scrapbook his niece made for him. It is full of newspaper clippings from his baseball days. He has a reason to stand tall. 

I cannot think of this man without thinking of his old roommate. Like him, his roommate was one that held his head high. He held it high all the way to the end.