Sunday, September 13, 2009
The best job I ever had...
I went to college and got a degree. I worked for several years, gainfully, in corporate America. The daily grind, the paperwork, the TPS reports (no lie, they were called TPS reports..). And when I started to feel unfufilled, I went back to college, got another degree and worked for a few more years in a wonderful, people serving, people helping, soul-satisfying job.
And then this past June, I got a new job.
The hours are crap -- and I've worked my fair share of nightshifts as a nurse. No salary -- in fact, the money I've spent to sustain this job is mind boggling. I had no training, no manuals and really, little relevant experience. But I was hired. And my only charge in this 24 hour gig is also my demanding boss, my task master, my impatient ruler and my giggle filled, spontaneously pooping, truly blessed gift from God.
And I've come to find out that the benefits are unmatched.
As bleary eyed as I might be after a sporadically slept night, the bright eyed, toothless smile from ear to ear that greets me over the rail of his crib as if to say, "Oh good!!!! You're awake too!! Now we're awake together!! What are we gonna do today?" makes my heart swell.
The sweet smell of his breath as he dozes so trustingly and snuggily on my chest. The knowledge that the folds of his chubby thighs and the clothes that I swear fit him yesterday that I can't snap closed today are because of the amazing, life giving milk only I can give him. And the quiet anticipation of the day I get my first hug from him - the first time he tells me he loves me, and the secret hope his first word is "Momma" (because my first word everyday and the last word of my prayers every night is "Ollie").
In a moment, on the evening of June 24th, I immediately understood that I would do anything, truly anything, for this blessed baby. And I immediately felt initiated into this amazing cult of motherhood. I have been entrusted by God to care for and rear this sweet child -- and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to devote every fiber of my being to giving this child everything he needs to grow up happy, healthy and safe.
This is the best job I've ever had.
And then this past June, I got a new job.
The hours are crap -- and I've worked my fair share of nightshifts as a nurse. No salary -- in fact, the money I've spent to sustain this job is mind boggling. I had no training, no manuals and really, little relevant experience. But I was hired. And my only charge in this 24 hour gig is also my demanding boss, my task master, my impatient ruler and my giggle filled, spontaneously pooping, truly blessed gift from God.
And I've come to find out that the benefits are unmatched.
As bleary eyed as I might be after a sporadically slept night, the bright eyed, toothless smile from ear to ear that greets me over the rail of his crib as if to say, "Oh good!!!! You're awake too!! Now we're awake together!! What are we gonna do today?" makes my heart swell.
The sweet smell of his breath as he dozes so trustingly and snuggily on my chest. The knowledge that the folds of his chubby thighs and the clothes that I swear fit him yesterday that I can't snap closed today are because of the amazing, life giving milk only I can give him. And the quiet anticipation of the day I get my first hug from him - the first time he tells me he loves me, and the secret hope his first word is "Momma" (because my first word everyday and the last word of my prayers every night is "Ollie").
In a moment, on the evening of June 24th, I immediately understood that I would do anything, truly anything, for this blessed baby. And I immediately felt initiated into this amazing cult of motherhood. I have been entrusted by God to care for and rear this sweet child -- and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to devote every fiber of my being to giving this child everything he needs to grow up happy, healthy and safe.
This is the best job I've ever had.
