79 ~ Aunt Ruth School Service Rep

By Kay Heitsch

Aunt Ruth School & Jewelry Rep Job

Once we got settled, we started attending a church. I met some great people there.

I was still walking outside in our neighborhood. One of the friends at church started walking with me. We walked year-round. Cindy knew the area, so she knew places we could walk inside if needed.

I began working, as needed, in different public schools in town. I enjoyed working with individual students. I always carried candy, etc. The kids loved treats.

Bill's job at the bank went well for a while, but then they decided to go in another direction. Bill could see it coming, so he had another finance job lined up. I saw that God had opened another door.

I heard that a Charter School was looking for full-time help. I went over and applied. I was hired. This job was a wonderful experience!

I was privileged to work with a first-year teacher. Julie taught First Grade. I've worked with many teachers over the years. But I have to say Julie was the best.

I also took another part-time job as a service representative for a jewelry company. I enjoyed this job, but it seriously messed up both hands. I did this job after working at the charter school.

Aunt Ruth had a stroke. She was no longer at home. Now she was in a nursing home close to one of the stores where I worked as a jewelry rep.

So around 9:30 at night, after work, I would stop in to see her. It was a nightmare! Aunt Ruth couldn't talk. She had a feeding tube, which she hated! She would try to talk, cry, point at the feeding tube, and jerk it out.

I was exhausted after working all day and night, and then trying to deal with Aunt Ruth and this sad situation was very difficult.

One night, I felt I couldn't mentally and emotionally handle it anymore.

Thankfully, God helped me calm her down enough to communicate with her. We came to an agreement that I would remind her of our good times together. Aunt Ruth was happier, and so was I. Aunt Ruth and I were able to laugh, remembering fun times.

It wasn't much longer, and Aunt Ruth died at the nursing home. My hands, wrists, and elbows were so painful that I quit the jewelry rep job soon after she died.

I was happy I could spend time with Aunt Ruth and bring her some happiness. The jewelry rep job allowed me to work close enough to visit.

God once again proved faithful to bring good out of each situation we were going through.