Patti,
Of course you can post this anywhere you like. I previously emailed you and hope you received it. I have been out of town for a while. My daughter is a US Marine and has been deployed to Iraq for the second time. We had to give her a good send off.
Unfortunately, I am no longer a working CNA. I hope that does not stop you from wanting the essay. I have had some health problems and also my employers did not think that my daughter being shipped to Iraq was a good enough reason to have a few days off. When choosing my daughter or my work, my heart already knew the answer.
She is 19 and had to make out her living will and funeral arrangements before going. I had to be there.
I miss my residents something awful and have since visited them. But I know they are in excellent care. I am now working in a Bible retail store instead. My body needs a bit of a break anyway. Being a CNA is hard on the body, but good for the soul. I hope to someday return to being an active CNA.
But, giving up my job for my daughter was a no brainer decision. Now, I can fly to her when she needs me.