Hello everyone,
Below you will find the essay I co-authored for an essay contest at the nursing home I work at. My co-author is a resident of the nursing home and I am blessed to be able to care for her. To both of our surprise we won first place in our category!
-The essay was edited to comply with HIPPA
The Gift of Love
The saying goes, “it is not quantity but quality that counts.” I believe we can apply this simple saying to something as complex as life. One definition of quality of life is the satisfaction of the conditions under which one lives. The nursing home I work at values the importance of quality of life of its staff and residents to the extent that providing a high quality of life is a part of the organizations mission. A high quality of life is important because it leads to happiness and overall wellness; perhaps quality is what makes us desire quantity. My co-author, who is resident of this nursing home, has been blessed to receive both quantity and quality of life. She believes the staff members at the home have helped her to increase her quality of life. She states that she receives daily loving care that helps her to maximize her potential and do what she enjoys most, watching sports and making beaded crafts. Among her crafts she makes key chains and bracelets for residents and staff members. It is not uncommon to find her joyfully making bracelets in her room or to see other female residents sporting her creations. She has even been known to extend a warm welcome to new residents by giving them a friendship bracelet. When I see other residents light up because of her generosity it warms my heart. Her kindness has served to increase the quality of life of those around her; carrying out the mission of the organization.
Very recently she has been having unexpected battles with her vision. Due to health issues she is unable to see well and has been having a hard time making her bracelets and key chains. Through her determination and passion for others she has created tricks that aid her completing her work, but is yet unable to complete as many as she would like to. This led me to cherish the key chain and bracelet that she gave to me even more. Wanting to share her love with others I came up with a plan to proudly display her key chain on my backpack. This backpack is special because I will be taking it with me on a mission trip in July where I will be visiting 11 different countries. Her keychain will remind me of her unending love and friendship. It will also help keep me grounded to my Cheese Head roots as it is green and gold with a football on the end; she is a true Packer fan! I know that although her vision is not what it used to be she will still be able to see the world and watch her kindness touch nations. She has taught me how simple acts of kindness can increase quality of life and I pray that my actions will in return better her life.
