My beautiful 18-year-old daughter was admitted to psychiatric care. I visited her every day twice a day. She was the only patient who had visitors at every session; some were lucky to have a visitor once a week.
I was asked by the patients to prepare a Christmas basket on their behalf for the nursing staff, and I was given enough money to put together a luxury basket. My colleague Olive came into my classroom when I was attempting to make the basket while students were out. She could see I was exhausted and unwell as I struggled putting the basket together. Olive took over and made a great job of the basket then carried it to my car.
When I brought the basket to the patients, they were absolutely delighted. I was there when they presented it to the nursing staff; they'd never been given anything like this before an
d they were so touched and appreciative. It was a beautiful moment as those in psychiatric care acknowledged those who cared for them.
A few days later, I was given a thank you card and a box of chocolates from the patients for helping them with their basket. I can't tell you how touched I was. These were people who were unable to function outside hospital. They were vulnerable people who were unable to look after themselves and were on very high medication yet their hearts still found love and gratitude for the nursing staff and for me.
Olive could also see that I was struggling emotionally and was physically exhausted and she bought me a beautiful Christmas gift.
This is a great reminder of the importance of love and support. Despite their own vulnerabilities, the patients showed their love to the nursing staff and also to me. I supported the patients even though it was a struggle for me and Olive loved and supported me.
My friends, we are all here to love and serve each other and no matter what our personal situation is, loving and serving others is still possible. If we want to love and serve another but struggle to do so, divine guidance will appear and gently and lovingly support us.
I was asked by the patients to prepare a Christmas basket on their behalf for the nursing staff, and I was given enough money to put together a luxury basket. My colleague Olive came into my classroom when I was attempting to make the basket while students were out. She could see I was exhausted and unwell as I struggled putting the basket together. Olive took over and made a great job of the basket then carried it to my car.
When I brought the basket to the patients, they were absolutely delighted. I was there when they presented it to the nursing staff; they'd never been given anything like this before an
d they were so touched and appreciative. It was a beautiful moment as those in psychiatric care acknowledged those who cared for them.A few days later, I was given a thank you card and a box of chocolates from the patients for helping them with their basket. I can't tell you how touched I was. These were people who were unable to function outside hospital. They were vulnerable people who were unable to look after themselves and were on very high medication yet their hearts still found love and gratitude for the nursing staff and for me.
Olive could also see that I was struggling emotionally and was physically exhausted and she bought me a beautiful Christmas gift.
This is a great reminder of the importance of love and support. Despite their own vulnerabilities, the patients showed their love to the nursing staff and also to me. I supported the patients even though it was a struggle for me and Olive loved and supported me.
My friends, we are all here to love and serve each other and no matter what our personal situation is, loving and serving others is still possible. If we want to love and serve another but struggle to do so, divine guidance will appear and gently and lovingly support us.
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- Posted by RoseMarie
- Dec 16, 2017
- Comments (16)
Readers Comments
mindyjourney wrote: thank you for reaching out to thank the staff in such a lovely way on behalf of the patients and then to receive help and appreciation in return....yes, that is the TRUE holiday spirit of giving and receiving.
janfour wrote: yes, a full circle of sharing and caring. thank you!!
Lilijourney wrote: Thank you for your post. It truly warms my heart.
kmbhai wrote: lovely ...
splain wrote: Beautiful, loving post RoseMarie.
DANCE wrote: Beautiful
kjoyw wrote: Lovely basket! And made with so much love. What a kind understanding you have of those with mental health needs. Christmas is really only about love. Beautiful share!
leoladyc728 wrote: the staff must have been so very surprised. Wonderful that the patients asked you to make up the hamper and for you doing it all.
moonwalk wrote: So beautiful - thanks as always for your touching posts.
subh wrote: Thank you for the beautiful message. Love keeps the world alive.
