Last evening, I was again working as personal care aide here at St. Anne’s Guest Home. I often take the back stairs and pass hurriedly by some residents’ room on my way to tend to the needs of a few of their floor-mates.
If I know the person is there, I try to call out a friendly greeting to them. If time allows, I stop and exchange a few words, asking how they are doing. I think it is important. It’s not that I’m so special and they should feel privileged to see me, or anything of that sort. However, it is an opportunity to cheer a person up, or simply show them that someone genuinely cares about them and is interested in them.
Last night, as I went past a particular resident’s room, I was in a hurry. I didn’t have lots of time to stop and visit. I did, however, make the effort to give a friendly greeting, hopefully, showing that I cared…
I have found myself hurrying past a room with a quick ‘hello’ and then stopping, turning around, and giving them a few extra seconds. It sometimes strikes me: “Nothing you have to do is that important that it can’t wait 30 seconds. Go back there and show them they’re important.”
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This morning, at about 3:45 a.m., I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing at our convent. Sr. Rebecca got around to answering it before I did. She carried on a bit of a conversation with the caller. When they had hung up, I learned that one of our residents had just died, the one whose room I had passed on my evening rounds just hours before.
Although I hadn’t had much time to visit, at least I had made the effort to greet him.
We never know what will be our last opportunity to do good to another person, or even what effect a kind word or gesture can have. I guess this is a lesson to me never to neglect any opportunity to serve Christ in another person. We’re not guaranteed another chance.
Sr. Christina M. Neumann
How true this is, Sister! Thank you for the reminder. I keep this in mind about myself as well, because tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us–so I always make sure to spend time telling Jesus how much I love and adore Him–and how thankful I am for all He has done for me! –before I go to sleep at night 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this. It’s a great reminder to do as you say. We really do not know when, or how, or why. A friend I saw at Mass on Sunday, ended up in the ICU Tuesday.
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Wow.
What a moving reminder to face Christ in others (even if I’m in a hurry).
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I passed by his room Monday night and saw he was sleeping but he hadnt had his meds yet. Instead of rushing back downstairs and possibly paging him I knocked on his door to say hello and asked if he wanted to come down and get his meds. He said yes, came down with me and had a chance to chat a little, that was the last time I saw him. RIP I know you are at peace and free.
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This blog really inspired me. I thought about it all day and even stopped to greet someone I normally wouldn’t have. Thanks Sr. Christina for making a difference in more ways than one! God bless you!
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