stroke

Some people think that Christians are should be angelic or perfect. Others perceive that psychologists, being experts at human behaviours, should be better at managing their emotions (i.e. be happy always). So if you are a Christian psychologist, are you expected to be perfect and happy?

Christian psychologists are but humans too. Not perfect, that’s why we need the grace of God. A life-time of growth and refinement, with ups and downs but the general direction is to become more Christ-like.

Anyway, my female owner felt lousy going to her placement today (as usual). See? She is not perfect or happy... You have heard about her gripes, let me assure you that they have not yet been abated. Her placement is the current thorn(s) in her flesh. She really wanted to call in sick today, but preserved in going, just so that she can quickly get it over and done with (i.e. clock her hours).

This day was different from others. She arrived at work to find out that one of her favourite residents (with whom she played cards last week, and who never failed to call her using the name of a famous painting) suffered a massive stroke in the morning. By afternoon time, the update was that this Italian charmer (88-years-old) was on life-support and was unlikely to survive the week.

What a sudden turn of events. Despite being in a aged care facility, the thought of any of the residents dying suddenly never occurred to her. There are many residents who are in the process of dying. That’s right, the process of dying. Weak, frail and suffering. My female owner finds it hard to accept that this man, who is able to move around independently with a wheelie- walker, is suddenly gone.

Did she just play cards with him last week?