memories of the crick

my parents have always taught me to work hard, and to never depend on anyone/anything else in life. because of this, i've always been pretty independent. working for a paycheck has always been such an important part of my identity.

today was my last day at canyon creek assisted living, where I have put in over 3 years of my life. I have grown into a completely different person. it's been a little emotional for me reminscing:



-there was a resident who had sundowners and would get really combative if you tried to help him get dressed/ready for bed. he was so confused and had no clue who I was, but he would calm down as soon as i handed him his harmonica. and he played like a freaking champ!

-a couple that shared almost 80 years of marriage together. she passed at 93 years young, the year he turned 100. I remember him telling me "there is just this heavy weight on my soul that I can't get past" I had to leave his room to cry, because I couldn't imagine losing the love of my life. he quickly declined and joined his sweetheart before 101. yes, I cried when you passed away.

-the resident that yelled at me the entire time I helped her into bed, and then later told another aide that there was indians riding on horses by her room, and to tell them she was sorry. this was also the resident that made jeremy jump a mile because she was slouched over the first time he scanned the room. and then he realized that he had watched too many zoombie movies.

-the one resident who would literally jump out of bed when you would remind him it was time for a meal. and he napped all day, so I got to see this quite often. he was 90+ years.

-the female resident I was suppose to help shower, who informed me a man had tried to offer her a shower earlier, "and I just didn't like that..." she was so as-a-matter-of-fact about it, I had to bite my lip not to die laughing.

-the resident that required so many cares, but her insanely sincere gratitude made it so worth it. She had donated her life to service and had the first set of giant scriptures and hymns that I had ever seen. Her family was always visiting, and she always had the nicest silk pajamas, that I swore I would somday get myself. Yes, I cried when I couldn't make your funeral.

-the resident who told me the same story everytime I escorted her to meals: "grandma told me my teeth were homely, I never liked grandma much after that. stay young and beautiful; don't get old and dilapidated" and she twiddled her feet nonstop. I actually adored her, but jeremy won't let me name our child her name because she drove him crazy!

-when jeremy and I didn't make eye contact at all at work the week after we started dating, because we both thought everyone would know we had made out 5/7 nights since the last week.

-the resident who would hollar profanities whenever you tried helping him with tolieting, grooming, escorting, feeding, anything at all. You would just have to let him yell and yell and then out of the blue, he would agree to let you. Thank you for helping me get accepted to nursing school (wrote my application essay on him). yes, I cried when you passed away.

-the resident who always talks about her daughter who bought her her really expensive clothing item, and then you would see it at payless shoes the next day.

-the sweetheart of a resident who made me bring jeremy to interview when we were engaged, to make sure he was a decent guy. he would always say, "now what was his name again? that's right! Jeremy, but he doesn't own Jeremy Ranch! ...or does he?" I watched him decline into a state of not remembering my name or my face or why I had to give him his medications. yes I cried when you passed away.

-the resident who was such a grump all the time. and he always talked about his army days, and showering with the nurses whenever he was around other female residents. yes, I'm still laughing thinking about this.

-the resident who would sing to me in... she was from yugoslavia?! she always said such dirty, crude things about the male employees who worked there! oh how I loved her. and yes, I did cry when you passed.

-the tiny resident who told me all about her days on the farm while I escorted her to meals; how she and her sister had to wake up early every morning to milk her cows. and about her eye doctor who was so great and would be able help her see (he didn't).

-the resident who would always sing "the iron rod" when I asked her to hold on to the bar in the bathroom. she always asked about my day and had some sarcastic insert to add. yes, I cried when you passed away.

-the sweetest resident who always kept her room at 60 degrees because she always thought it was so hot. She hardly ever complained; she was the first person I knew who improved enough to get off hospice care. Her daughter was the nicest, prettiest lady. Every year for Christmas she gave out clemmies and hand sanitizer.

-the resident who tries to sleep until noon everyday, despite the four times you have to wake up her for her 4 eye drops. she tried to set me (and every other girl) up with her grandson 2 years ago. this is also the same resident who can't remember if my baby is a boy or a girl, but she always remembers that I married "that sweet handsome TALL man"

-the resident that I accidentally sung "I wanna be a millionare....... sooooo freaking bad" in front of. and she thought I was hilariously crazy for it. She was also the first fall I found. I remember how much anxiety I had then, and how calm I am now in comparision.

-or the resident that you will always find lying on her side, reading her book, forgetting about her meals.

-or the resident you will always find snoring in his armchair. or in the front lobby.

-or the resident who has 4 med passes between 8 am-2 pm, and you can never find him!


there are so many memories that I will never forget. I could go on and on with these stories!
thank you canyon creek for teaching me life lessons on love, patience, work ethic, compassion, distraction, nursing.
thank you for letting me meet the love of my life.
thank you for growing me into the person I am today.