As most of you know, I have been an LPN for five years, and have worked in Long Term Care for the past twelve years.  This poem touched my heart when I read it, because it says so much about the elderly that I have cared for.  I hope that it will also touch your heart for any friends or family that you may have in a nursing facility.  We sometimes tend to forget that they once had lives outside the facility just like you and I do.  Most don't choose to be there, and hopefully those that work in Long Term Care can make a difference.  I certainly hope I help make a difference. Who Do You See? What do you see, nurses? What do you see? What are you thinking When you look at me?  Do you see... A crabby old woman, Not very wise. Uncertain of habit, With far away eyes. A person who dribbles her food, And makes no reply When you say in a loud voice, "I DO wish you'd try!" A woman who doesn't seem to notice The things that you do, And forever is losing A stocking or shoe.  A person, maybe resisting at times... Lets you do as you will With my bathing and feeding And handing me my pills. Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurses, 'Cause you're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am, As I sit here so still... As I rise at your bidding... As I eat at your will. I'm a child of ten With a mother and father And brothers and sisters, Who love one another. A young girl of sixteen, With wings on her feet. Dreaming that soon now, A lover she'll meet. A bride soon at twenty. The heart gives a leap. Remembering the vows That I promised to keep. At twenty-five now I have young of my own, Who need me to build A secure, happy home. A young woman of thirty... My young now grow fast. Bound to each other, With ties that should last. At forty, the young ones are grown And soon will be gone. But my man stays beside me, So I don't feel so alone. At fifty once more, Babies play around my knee. Again we know children, My loved one and me. Dark days are upon me. My husband is dead. I look at the future, And I shudder with dread. For my young ones are all busy, Rearing young of their own. And I think of the years And the love I have known. I'm an old woman now, And nature is cruel. Nature makes old age Look like such a fool. The body is crumbled... Grace and vigor depart. There is now a stone Where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass, A young girl still dwells. And now and again, My battered heart swells. I remember the joys... I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living Life all over again. I think of the years All too few, and gone too fast. And I accept the fact That nothing can last. So open your eyes, nurses... Open them and see... Look a little closer, nurses... Please...see the real ME. ~Author Unknown~ Comments? To return to Beth's Pages... To the best of my knowledge, midi playing is public domain. ~Page designed by Beth~ ~I just want you to know who I am~