Helper Monkey R Us

For the last two days all I have felt about my job is “Helper Monkey”. I don’t know if I’m the helper monkey or that helper monkeys could replace me. It’s not the routine or daily sameness; it’s not the decisions that come from above that make you scratch your head. I can’t put my finger on just one cause.
One resident always hands me her used Kleenex, cup, plate or whatever needs to be put into the kitchen. Since she doesn’t have real good access to the kitchen someone has to help her out but lately it is always saved for me to do. Is she saying “Karen, I only trust you to do this most delicate job.” or “Here Helper Monkey Karen, do take my waste and place it in the garbage.”
We all do our job for something, either bananas or coin. Is it the thought that the menial work, which I want to slough off to someone else, will put that person in the same enslavement position that I was feeling? Would that person instead be grateful getting a pay cheque, and a good place to work? Is the work really menial or just how you view it at that moment?
I went to college received a degree in developmental services and I cannot remember when I used any real skills. (Apparently the real Helper Monkeys go to college also.) The bureaucracy, the enormous amount of paperwork, not including the computer work leaves precious little time and only the basic care of the individual is completed. When you have a staff that is happy to do the work, doesn’t need any hand holding for each step, you take advantage and do the paperwork or you spend some quality time with the residents.
I Googled helper monkey and it appears many people want these monkeys and here I feel like one. There is a great organization that trains monkeys for the disabled and I do not want to take anything away from the great work that the place and the monkeys accomplish. (See the link in the title)
I’m definitely not the top banana in the organization or head monkey gathering worldly goods? Nope-just one of the helper monkeys doing what needs to be done.

Congratulations

Twenty-one years ago I had my Drivers Learners’ Permit. I did learn how to drive somewhat. I don’t remember being nervous or intimidated by driving. Other drivers seemed in control and at that time road rage was not known. I went on a trip out west to Regina to visit relatives and I do remember taking turns driving. How can you go wrong driving on a long flat stretch of a road? Soon after that I had a job that didn’t pay well and a bus route that was the cheaper way to go. Being enthused with the accomplishments of the job, the shift work that got me home by 11:00 pm I found that driving was not a priority. I can’t pinpoint when I stopped caring about getting a car and getting my license. I couldn’t figure out how anyone could afford to own a car while working in this field. I let the “365” permit expire and I didn’t bother to renew it. I really wish I had gone out for the road test got my license and had been done with it.

Today (21 years later) I passed the written test for getting my license and with the new rules I will have to go through a graduated licensing process that will take about 20 months and 2 road tests to complete. Prices of cars, insurance and maintenance have gone up while my pay hasn’t gone up a whole lot since my last learners permit. And of course the car that I would like to own because of the cargo space and all the safety features cost a mint. Now I have to get up the nerve to get behind the wheel again and join all the crazy drivers I keep seeing on the road. Wish me luck.

Are we stuck in a rut? Are we just waiting to get old?

Old is just a state of mind. It’s all in the attitude. I have been hearing a lot of that lately. Unfortunately, all one has to do is look in the mirror and watch the wrinkles grow. Hence, less mirror gazing amazed that you look good for your age and an increase interest in age defying beauty products. Work becomes a chore rather than a joy when the sameness starts creeping in (just like those pesky wrinkles). At what point in your life do you become old? Is it when you start becoming more conservative – throw those punks in jail, or when your music is now classic or is in the Oldies category in itunes? Is it when you stop learning, very comfortable in what you know and are willing to coast?

I Googled the Stages of Grief, loss of youth and aging and I found many sites for grieving a real loss but not grieving getting old. Lots on aging but those seem to be about REAL OLD people and that’s not me because I’m not that old am I? Is it just fear, fear of missing out on everything? Or is it a February thing, yearning for spring?