I am thankful. part two.

I am thankful for my employment.

In the year 2007 various circumstances required me to forego my lifelong dream of being a stay at home mom and entering the world of working moms. It was a bit scary and I was saddened to leave my little one, and yet at the same time I felt so blessed in finding the job I did. And now I see the trickle effect it had on where I am today...

 I got a job in the school district where my children attended and little two year old Coleman was cared for by some wonderful women. As I began working, I learned that it may be possible to get my Master's degree in speech pathology online. I've told the rest of that story on here before so I won't repeat it. But I can't help but see the hand of the Lord guiding me to where I am today.  I actually look forward to going to work each day. I am not saying I don't ever wish for the good old days when I had more time with my children and my house actually was clean. But I refuse to live in the past and instead attempt to embrace the life that is now mine. Okay, sometimes those dreams still creep in, but I shush them away...

I have fond memories of visiting my Dad's parents in their nursing home. I loved going there. I loved seeing them and yes, I enjoyed seeing the other residents also. I  recall relishing every single second I could spend with my mom's parents.  I always had a deep love for the "older generation". I felt I had so much I could learn from them and my spirit just felt such peace when I was in the presence of older people. Now, as true as that is, most people that know me also know my love for little children. I dreamed of having 6 of my own. I babysat all the time when I was a youth and I continue to enjoy children. I remember being in graduate school and wondering what my passion really was. Which population would I enjoy the most day in and day out? Well, lucky me I work with both! I spend part of my day at a rehabilitation clinic where I am blessed to work with that "older generation" and I spend part of my day at an outpatient clinic where I primarily work with pediatrics. In one day I could easily work with a ninety year old and a 2 year old. I seriously feel like I have the best of both worlds and I feel so fortunate.

My job is rewarding for several reasons. The obvious is the the job itself is a rewarding one. Teaching a child to speak correctly (or talk at all), helping a youth gain the social skills necessary to be more successful in life, watching the brain injured adult be able to return to work after months of therapy, and seeing a stroke patient safely swallow a meal of their choice is all extremely rewarding to me. However, none of that can touch the personal connection I have been able to make with patients and colleagues alike. I look forward to work each day because the people I have the opportunity to interact with enrich my life immensely. My heart is continually full of gratitude for the people in my life all because of employment. It is another testament to me that God is ever mindful of me. Sure I have to work long days and I have the responsibility of being the provider now. But to counter that, He gave me wonderful coworkers and patients that literally keep me going each and every day. I often stop and smile when I think of the timing of all of this. People were placed in my life when I needed them most. Yes, this year, I am thankful for the blessing of my employment.