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sometimes running heals a broken heart!!!!

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Friday, July 20, 2012

Sometimes my job is so hard and sometimes very cruel. For those who dont know I do recreation in a nursing home. My job is very rewarding and I meet some of the most amazing people.My place is the last place they live before they go to heaven. So I want to make sure their stay is full of fun and dignity. My residents are like fine wine they get better with age.But yesterday I lost 2 of my favorite ladies. One of them was my all time favorite. She was 102 and still very active let me repeat that 102 and still very active. So when you say u are too tired or too old take it from my senior. She would ask me everyday did you go for your run and I would say yes. She would tell me she did her laps on the floor. She was so proud of me and proud of the type of father I was becoming. my kids would visit her and I was so happy she got to my precious Abby before she passed. Yesterday I was talking to her before the end and ws holding her hand and she asked me did you get your run in today with a smirk on her face. Here is this lady on her death bed and she is worried about me. I held her hand until her final breath and cried so much. I was so mad I worked last night because I needed to grieve but I worked. But today I went for a 10km run and said goodbye to my ladies. I probally made people scared to run after watching me. I was running crying so hard and running so hard. But it felt so good to say goodbye and when I was done I looked up and said yes I did my run!!!!!
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHANGINGSAM 9/11/2012 3:50PM

    emoticon

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PIXIEMOM13 9/11/2012 2:41PM

    Oh bless you!! I'm so sorry for your loss.

I know your ladies felt your love and concern and that had to be a blessing to them.

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EBURGITE 9/11/2012 2:32PM

    how amazing that you can do something so very, very important. i'm leaking, now, reading about this. it's just awesome.

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MISSLISA1973 9/11/2012 12:12AM

    I am so sorry for your loss.

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JENN13JENN 8/16/2012 12:39AM

    I used to work in the activities department in a nursing home/assisted living too. I got so attached to everyone!!! I feel your pain...I am glad that you have found a healthy way to deal with grief.

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CATLADY2012 8/5/2012 9:04AM

    I'm glad to know there are people like you working in assisted living centers. Thank you for sharing your life and love with those lovely people.

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MOMKAT4310 8/4/2012 4:48PM

    But you give great gifts of yourself to those you help with recreation and just visits. It is often lonely growing old, my MIL was in personal care for 10 years with non-Alzheimer's dementia. We got to know so many residents. Nothing wrong with crying or running to aid your grief process. Often, the physical helps us process the mental issues in our daily lives. Best Wishes.

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TISTEN23 8/4/2012 12:01AM

    I am so sorry for your loss! That is so sad... She is in a better place watching over you now!!! Running really does a number for you when something is wrong!! Now, every run you go on, she lives on in your thoughts!!! Keep moving forward! I know you can!!!! You do have a rewarding, but very hard job. That is something not many people can do with dignity and honesty! WOOHOO!!!

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LBEEKMA 8/3/2012 11:15PM

    Thanks for reminding us to do what we can at the moment. What an inspirational lady. I'm sure you meant the world to her too.

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JUDYAMK 8/3/2012 10:48PM

    Within the very core of your being you have a beautiful soul!!!
Judy

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KIMPY225 8/3/2012 3:03PM

    Thank you for sharing this story. It really helped me realize how much we all really do have - and how much we should care for others!

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RAINCLOUD1996 8/3/2012 9:23AM

    Sorry for your loss. There is a place for you heaven, because you are such a caring and wonderful person!! emoticon

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PROVERBS31JULIA 8/2/2012 9:00AM

    My mom used to have a similar job at the local assisted living and care home. She startrd working there after my step-dad passed on. It was tough for her when the various residents she had worked with eventually passed on themselves.

Sounds like your friend, the 102 year old understood your racing, maybe in the context of the Apostle's words:

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

May all your races stay true and honor those who have passed on in the faith.

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Comment edited on: 8/2/2012 9:01:53 AM

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BDGRUNS 7/31/2012 12:51PM

  Thank you for sharing! Very touching!

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ABILUCHA 7/30/2012 4:58PM

    Lovely blog. You're lucky to have those kind of people in your life...and they are lucky to have you!

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BRAVENEWGRL 7/29/2012 1:43PM

    wonderful blog. People touch our lives in such profound ways sometimes.

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ROX525 7/28/2012 7:45AM

    Thank you for sharing. What a rewarding job and wonderful heart you have. It is true that it is "better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all". You have the right profession for a compassionate soul.

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KENZYE 7/27/2012 12:01AM

    so sorry for your loss

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CAROL494 7/26/2012 8:25PM

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MOMMY445 7/26/2012 1:22PM

    what a wonderful blog and i am so sorry for your loss. sending many hugs from my family to yours.

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DEBK0923 7/25/2012 2:30PM

    a wonderful blog

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LANNIEMANUEL 7/24/2012 10:33PM

    sorry for your loss.

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FIREFLY_MEDIC 7/24/2012 6:46PM

    their will live forever in the form of inspiration

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OLIVIANIGHT 7/24/2012 9:43AM

    Aw that made me cry.
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SHEPIL 7/23/2012 11:30PM

    For you to be there holding her hand till her last breath means a lot to her but most of all to you. There is nothing more rewarding in the "care giving" industry than to know that you are still involved even in the last stage of a person's life. To me, it completes the whole care process. When you feel sad thinking of your special ladies, may the "sense of fulfillment" comfort you even just a little bit. I can relate because I once worked in a nursing home for over 6 years.

Comment edited on: 7/23/2012 11:33:42 PM

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MEMORIES7 7/23/2012 9:31PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. I am a nurse and I know the loss is very hard . Our people become like family to us and we get very attached. It is hard not too. Thank you for providing QUILITY OF LIFE for these ladies. They will always hold a very special place in your heart. Hugs, Rose emoticon emoticon

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LIVINHEALTHY9 7/23/2012 8:59PM

    So sorry about the loss of your special ladies.
You do a job that not everyone could do. And it sounds like you meet some extraordinary people and you touch their lives as much as they touch yours.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.






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NELLBELLA26 7/23/2012 5:07PM

    What a beautiful blog post! Glad you got to say goodbye and grieve and still get in that run.

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MASTERPIECE8 7/23/2012 4:48PM

    Beautiful story. I'm so sorry for your loss. I can relate to what you have written, as my daughter is a CNA and absolutely loves every resident. You are blessed to have met someone so special, and she was blessed to have you in her life.

Barb

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SIMOFDIM 7/23/2012 3:33PM

    Thank you for such a beautiful story!


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EXPOGIRL18 7/23/2012 12:43PM

    You certainly touch many lives, and I'm sure all are grateful for your devotion. Lost my husband, and not sure anything heals a broken heart, but support, healthy living, family, friends, a beautiful sunset, memories certainly do make it feel better!

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MARGARITTM 7/23/2012 11:51AM

    Thank you for writing this - just lost my mom - and running is my therapy

Comment edited on: 7/23/2012 11:52:53 AM

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KAREN_NY 7/23/2012 11:17AM

    I"m so sorry for your loss, and so grateful for the work you do. Running can be catharctic!

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LSPIZZA 7/23/2012 11:05AM

    You are very strong to do that job! Admirable! I am sorry for your loss.

I started to run to try to heal my broken heart after my husband died very young and very suddenly. So I know what you mean. I cried at the end of my first triathlon and I cried during my first half marathon. Not sure my heart will ever fully heal but running is very therapeutic and is with me to stay.

Hang in there and keep running.

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MARATHON_MOM 7/23/2012 10:22AM

    I'm so sorry for you loss! It's so hard to lose someone that we care so much about! I'm so glad that you were able to greive in your way... and running is sometimes the best medicine for a broken heart.

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MYTURN11 7/23/2012 10:15AM

    I thought this was so very beautiful story to read ~ you are a wonderful person!

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1GODGIRL 7/23/2012 9:32AM

    emoticon What a beautifully touching story!

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CLHENDY1 7/23/2012 9:31AM

    A beautiful story. I'm sorry for your loss.

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MCHILSTR 7/23/2012 9:29AM

  What a beautiful spirit you are - thanks for sharing.

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ANDRAYAYA 7/23/2012 9:05AM

    Brought tears to my eyes. emoticon for sharing. Although sad, also very inspiring. Makes us stop to appreciate our time here and to do all we can to take care of ourselves and the ones we love.

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POETICJUSTUS 7/23/2012 8:48AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss, but I rejoice @ your little ladies homegoing. Celebrating with that cathartic run was awesome .Bless you for the work you do. emoticon

Comment edited on: 7/23/2012 8:49:56 AM

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WHISPERINGPINE9 7/23/2012 8:25AM

    That just brought tears to my eyes dear friend. What an amazing lady! She inspires me to move today and everyday. Even at 102 life is too short to just sit around and weight for your final days on earth. I'm glad to hear that you ran and continue to run for yourself and your wonderful 102 year old friend. emoticon

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NORAB52GOOD 7/23/2012 8:22AM

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NYKIMMIE 7/23/2012 8:20AM

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LAURIE5658 7/23/2012 3:51AM

    What an amazing lady and what an amazing person YOU are. Thank you for sharing your story.

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BLOOMING52 7/22/2012 11:33PM

    Thank you.

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GBAUM0432 7/22/2012 11:19PM

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LEALOWE 7/22/2012 10:20PM

    Beautiful. I am so glad there are good people like you who work in these homes and take such good care of our oldest and weakest members of society. Too often they are cast aside as worthless and a burden. It touched me so much when you described how you held her hand until the last breath. No one should die alone and all too many do. Thank you for sharing your story but thank you most for being such a compassionate and thoughtful person. You inspired me today.

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OFGREENGABLES 7/22/2012 9:47PM

    what a beautiful story! If I am like that when I'm 102 I know I will have lived a good life.

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PHILTRILL 7/22/2012 8:23PM

    My heart goes out to you. I understand what it is to deal with these people and at such an inspiring age of 102 you were graced with the ability to be in her company up to the time of her death and knowing she was concerned about your Health. I am so sorry about your loss but remember that people pass through out lives for different reasons and yours seems like a lesson learned. Take it one day at a time and be strong. Your tears was understood and as you say that was/is your healing. emoticon

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