Small blessings

My son asked me why I work with old people. He said...Mom, you always come home so tired, you always complain about your back hurting & your legs cramping up, most of them don't even remember your name, & you cry and get heartbroken when one of them dies. If it hurts you to work there then why do you do it?
I told him..yes, I get tired & cranky. Yes, my back & legs always hurt, & yes, I am heartbroken when one of them takes wing and flies away from this life.
I get aggravated, annoyed, & sometimes I have to walk outside & have a smoke before my head explodes.
Sometimes I just want to lay my keys on the medcart, walk straight out the door, & never look back.
Every single day I'm a nurse, shrink, psychologist, child, parent, wife, or just a friend.
I've listened to stories of how they remember when Miami was just a dirt road..or of how they are afraid at night and need a light on.
I've ran my fingers through hair when they've cried out for their mamas or deceased husbands.
I've held them in my arms when they've just started crying about some real or imaginary thing.
I answer to any name..I've been Henry, Victoria, Loretta, I've even been a man who's had a sex change!! Lol
I've whispered to and caressed the faces of those taking their last breaths when no family was available.
This is only a typical day in the life of a caregiver.
But every single day, when I walk in, I'm greeted with hellos, hugs, laughs, & even "I missed you".
They tell me if they've slept well, if they've had good or bad dreams.
They worry if I look tired & they don't care if I sing off key.
They may not remember my name but they do know they can count on me to be there when they need me, but they can never, ever understand that as much as I give them, they've given me tenfold.
My son didn't look very impressed. So I told him....At this moment in time I've been blessed with the opportunity to care for God's eldest children, who am I to turn away from this gift?