by Salina Prether

Created on: November 26, 2011   Last Updated: November 27, 2011

I have worked in a Nursing home for over twenty years now, so for me aging is both wonderful and very frightening. I see every day the possibility of what i have to look forward to in a not so long time from now. As i approach my Fifties it don't feel like I'm old, but the number seems so large.

I watch on a daily bases, these sweet and loving elderly grow frail and weak. If they are lucky they age gracefully and then close their eye and pass on to the eternal rest. Some are not so lucky, really "most" are not that lucky. I have watched some suffer long hard sicknesses that break their will and my heart. Like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS and / or cancer. It is tragic.

No matter who you are and how much you try to protect your heart, they enter in and begin to feel like family. They bring so much to your life, Wisdom, Love and Hope for your future. They share with you the stories of how it use to be and the pain of how they struggled through some of the hardest times this Country has had. Some fought for our freedom, some lost loved ones who fought for our freedom. If not for any other reason they deserve our respect for that alone.

What I hate the most is when people come into these places and avoid contact with these presious jewls of life, as if old age is contagious, well guess what... we will all see it if we live long enough. I try every day to put myself in their shoes, how would i feel if i never could feel the arms of someone around me again, the touch of loving hands holding mine. That scares me more then dying.

Aging is a part of life, and I have dedicated my career life to making it as pleasant and peaceful as I can for the elderly that I take care of. I show them Love, Respect and the comfort of knowing they are not alone in this cold world. For every day there is a season, for every person there is a reason for them being here on this earth, for them its me, they bring so much to my life. for me its them, to show them they are not alone and they are a blessing to me and this Country.

Learn more about this author, Salina Prether.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.