Today I found new batteries for a patient’s glucose meter.  She had not used it for three days because she couldn’t find her batteries.  I don’t usually help with the use of these tests and I watched as she tried to time the procedure so her machine didn’t turn off before she had the blood ready for the strip. She struggled with arthritic fingers to get the tiny test strips ready for the machine.  She used 3 strips and had to poke herself twice to acquire the reading.  This is a task that I am sure most others perform rapidly and without much thought.  But for her, the process is frustrating and difficult.   

It is humbling to place yourself in another person’s shoes.  To see the problems and loneliness of others all day and then go home to a husband with a fire in the fireplace, prepared dinner and clean house leaves me with a conflicted feeling.  I am grateful for the blessings I have but feel for the people I know that are still out there struggling with the small things in life.