Early on, when this blog first began, I posted a poem by a “crabbit old woman” who lived in a nursing home and pleaded “See Me.”  She felt misunderstood, unappreciated, overlooked.  I invite you to re-read this touching poem

I have just come across a response to the crabbit old woman which deserves consideration.

Dear Little Old Lady, it’s easy to see
You know about you, but not about me.
You think I am here for the profit and gain
Surrounded by aging, and sickness, and pain.
For you see here a woman, efficient and terse,
With a neat little pin that proclaims her a nurse
And you look in my eyes to find out what I see –
But you, too, are neglecting to learn about me.
I know you are lonely and frightened and ill
But you don’t understand when I offer my skill–
You don’t understand that I want you to live
And I’m willing to work and to help and to give..
You don’t understand that each patient I see
Is a projected picture of what I will be.
Please  understand when I have to say “No”
That it isn’t so easy although it won’t show.
Or when pain is a part of the things I must do
That the pain is for me as well as for you?
I, too, am a women–a maiden or wife–
With my even share of the burdens of life.
If I’m able to comfort or bring you a smile
My day is complete and my job is worthwhile.
I bring you my hands and my head and my heart –
The gift of my nursing, my skill and my art,
Don’t turn me away, don’t hold back your trust
For your faith in my love is an absolute must …
I will look at you always and ever will see
Not a “crabbit old lady” – just extension of me.
 
———-Florence DeDruchy, Department of Nursing