The power of my heart to theirs...

 Amidst my frustrating morning and anxieties around the woman I assist with mealtimes at the LTC,  I tried my best to find a place of calm.

The day panned out. Some fun things occured.

I had ordered an ESL book for a resident who'd been super patient, and it felt like a huge win, only to find out it was too complex for him and his wife who'd visited to understand. Back to the grindstone with that.

I got through my day.

I visited my residents to find out who'd like to participate in bible study in June, and what topics they felt were most important to them. I popped in on my favourite people. One of them is a gentleman who I can tell has love in his heart for me, but I cannot pursue it as my professional obligations restrict that kind of relationship. I always try to redirect it to a platonic place of mutual care, but today he wanted a hug. He gently put his hands on my mid back while I hugged him. I don't say no to hugs at work, just because we all know how integral human touch is, and how it keeps us all well and coping better during tough times. I had come to check on his well-being too, so he expressed that need and I was happy to help him with hugs. 

Later on in the afternoon I bumped into a PSW whom I've befriended and she told me she knew my former classmate and friend (they took PSW training together, such a small world) and I was so happy to hear about their connection. Later on that friend of mine from school sent me a confirmation saying that I was a sweetheart and that they both liked me, and I felt SEEN and ACKNOWLEDGED. (In non-violent communication those are human needs) and I felt like my heart was bursting.

When someone who knows you and sees you for who you are, who you hope you're presenting to the outside world...it feels so good to be validated that way. I try to reflect this outward to my clients on a weekly basis, because their hearts and minds flourish when someone can say sincere and loving things to them. And we all need that, dementia, illness or not.