but nobody is home! I’ve been trying all morning to think of something to write about. I’ve been searching through my numerous drafts to complete one of them to post today, and still no luck. So I thought I’d try the NaNoWriMo rambling style of writing again and just see what comes out; this is to sit at the computer and just start typing about anything that comes into my head, although obviously I will be editing it before I post it! I’ve recently discovered a new blog Your Daily Dose of Death and have been reading with interest the Anecdotes of an undertaker. He is a good story teller, and my sense of humour and disposition is comfortable reading stories about the dead. When I worked in the grief industry as a volunteer I spent a lot of time behind the scenes in funeral parlours and the Coroner’s Office with bereaved people, and not only saw many sad and horrific things, but was exposed to a dark sense of humour. Working as an age/dementia care nurse, and then as an operating room nurse also exposed me to a certain style of dark humour. When working in the country we also had to work with the Ambulance on call outs, so were exposed to the tragedy of road accidents and other sad tragic things like suicide and sometimes horrific industrial accidents. It definitely toughened me up, and my first ever nursing girlfriend Jacinta and I became lifelong friends in part due to experiencing some of these things together, holding each other’s hand and hearts as we came to terms at a very young age with real life. The fact she is truly a beautiful person has quite a lot to do with it too of course! There are stories to share for sure, but today, I am having trouble recalling much of the detail of most of them, and the one I was reminded about earlier today I don’t feel up to sharing today. Blogging for the fun of it is an odd thing to be doing, but for me it is incredibly healing and has provided me with friends from all over the world. Julie Powell and the book and movie Julie and Julie, is to be thanked once again for finally getting me off my couch to start writing and blogging. In the process of doing this, I have started to think more deeply, laugh more often, to search and look within every day, and to reach out to others with more love. At least, that how it feels to me! For now, I am taking some sage advice, finishing this up as a very short blog, being gentle on myself and heading off to have a rest.
Kate, I am humbled…I am glad you like the stories.Denny, I do believe you are a trip!
ha thanks for reminding me of those days dear kate, thankfully for me my memories having faded quite a bit about our first body,??? yes we do have to have that dark sense of humour thats for sure, xxxx
I was the most frightful sook when I was nursing and was shocked to the marrow when I saw a colostomy bag and damn near fled when I saw my first stiff, er make that body. I bundled on a theatre gown, mask, gloves and booties and went to deal with the defunct lady whose erratic pulse I had taken only a moment before. The much grittier junior nurse on duty laughed her socks off when she saw me rigged out so preposterously and we snorted and giggled — me from shock — for the whole time we were preparing the body. We took forever, partly because I had to be hauled back into the room periodically, and partly because we had no idea what we had to do and predictably, things went wrong: like forgetting to put in the false teeth before rigor mortis sets in. At least she wouldn’t be needing them any more but we hoped the mortician didn’t have any plans to have her smiling widely!
You cracked me up Denny! Thanks for the laugh. It reminded me of the first body I laid out though, who was a young friend killed in a VA; I was told what to do, then sent to do it, and just blubbered throughout the whole process. Some things are worth forgetting!!