I have been thinking about the nurses and healthcare providers around the globe, who are rolling up their sleeves to care for those with ebola despite the present risks and fear. If you have ever found yourself unexpectedly very sick or in the hospital or in a long term care facility for any reason, I think you know as well as I do how hard these individuals work and the difference they make in the lives of their patients.
As with most of our working class, these are people, who receive insufficient praise and reward for their tireless efforts. Yes, there is an intrinsic reward and they are human, making mistakes at times just like us, but words of appreciation can go a long way to bolster people at work, working hard and working well, especially those at minimum wage or thereabouts.
In recent months, I have been trying to tell individuals I come across in my daily life that I appreciate a job well done, for example a clerk, who is exceptionally friendly or helps me solve a problem efficiently and effectively. I find that the more I do it, the less reticent I am to vocalize my praise and the easier it becomes. I also walk away feeling really good for sharing my gratitude. (To be fair, I have to add that I am trying to verbalize my dissatisfaction on the flipside as well, although this seems far less frequent.)
Today, I just want to send out a message to the universe or, at a minimum, the blogosphere, to say thank you to those caring for our most vulnerable patients here and abroad. Your work is seen within its difficult context and deeply appreciated. You, good workers, humble me by your example, which I sometimes need, too.
Good Workers
Let us praise good workers (you know who you are)
Who come gladly to the job and do what you can
For as long as it takes to repair the car
Or clean the house – the woman or man
Who dives in and works steadily straight through,
Not lagging and letting others carry the freight,
Who joke around but do what you need to do,
Like the home caregiver who comes daily at eight
A.m. to wash and dress the man in the wheelchair
And bring him meals and put him to bed at night
For minimum wage and stroke his pale brown hair.
He needs you. "Are you all right?" "I'm, all right,"
He says. He needs you to give him these good days,
You good worker. God's own angels sing your
praise.
