Sarah and Sheila Day 19--

Sheila Day 19--

PHEW . . . 19 days!!!!  Many days seem super, super simple; however, I have discovered that it is much easier to do a good deed if you let see . . .  actually leave the house!  It becomes much tougher if one opts to have a stay at home day and just catch up on "stuff" that needs to be done.  I love the spontaneity that comes with being in public as there re so many opportunities if one is just tuned into what is going on around them.  I think that is what happens a lot of the time . . . we just opt to tune out and get stuck in our own little bubble.

Today, I did do a couple of minor things earlier in the day, but they are really nothing to write home about.  Certainly nothing that seems particularly blog worthy.  So I found myself thinking about what to do when I remember that I had purchased several cards for a few of the individuals who have really been there for me in a number of ways throughout this past year.  Each card was chosen with a special recipient in mind.  I think getting a card in the mail is nice, and when there is a personal message, it is much nicer.

I wrote 6 cards tonight.  Each one is for someone very special to me.  I then wrote each a personal message thanking the for being such a blessing in my life.  The cards are all addressed, stamped, and put in the mail.  I just want to point out that I really, really stink at sending cards.  I think about it often, but somehow always fall short.  IF there is a birthday, in all likelihood, my card will NOT be on time.  Christmas cards, almost always pushed right to the edge of making it on time.  Anniversaries . . . I probably won't even remember them.  I aspire to be good at this, but unfortunately, this is not one of my gifts.  However, I love to receive a card and most of the individuals I sent cards to have remembered me more than once as I fought to survive the past year.  I really want them to know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.  They were truly appreciated.

I would encourage all of you to take a moment and send a card.  I have sent more this month than I have in an entire year!  As you go through the holidays and are receiving cards, say a prayer for the sender. The photos that we see are of faces that are filled with joy and happiness; however, we never know what crosses they have had to bear in their lives.

Sheila

Sarah Day 19--

Today I had a bit of a long day. I worked for 12 hours, from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m up on the second floor of the hospital. Sometimes being up on second can get pretty slow, especially when I have to be there for that many hours. We had a couple of new babies born, and we had a few patients go home, but other than that, the day was pretty mellow.

The things that I did today are probably not blog worthy either, but unfortunately, these small things are all that I have for tonight. I have spent most of the last 18 days putting a lot of thought into everything that I planned on doing. For the days that I did not have anything specifically planned, something always came up. However, today nothing that I did really seemed to be too significant. I feel like my issue is that I am getting picky, since I am looking for kind acts to do. I find myself thinking that what I do for the day has to stand out and be somewhat significant. I need to remember to take a step back and remind myself that the small things do count too.

I do not have a lot of money to spend with the holidays coming up. I am only 23 years old and trying to get some money put away so I can go back to college in the fall. Today, I could not find the extra dollars to donate to a special organization, or leave in the pop machine. I did not have time to take someone out to eat, or to pay for a strangers dinner. I have found myself thinking many times in the last 19 days, that too many things in this world cost money, and that kind of sucks.

Because I am running low on moolah, I spent my day trying to find extra things to help out with at work. In my position, we very rarely go in to patient rooms. There is usually a nurse or an aid around to do just about everything with the patients. However, today I went in to a few different rooms for different reasons. Once, I brought in an insurance form for a patient to fill out that they had requested. Once I dropped by a note from a family member, and once to deliver some flowers. I took the time to ask how each of their days were going and told them that I hoped they would be back home for the holidays. I also cleaned the computers at my desk and organized the drawers. I stocked all of the printers with paper, stocked our desk with supplies, and mailed some forgotten items. I wiped a little pile of mud off the floor that I thought someone may slip on, and I grabbed one patients family member a cup of coffee.

Nothing that I did was today was spectacular. I do not actually know if it made a difference to anyone, or if anyone recognized any of these acts. I do not know if I lightened someones load, or made someones day. It may be unfortunate, but it is what it is. I guess sometimes, a special reaction for a good deed, is not needed. Those are the times that I rely on faith. More times than not, my faith gives me reassurance when I am not sure. To this day, my faith has never let me down. I know it will not let me down today either.

Sarah