Yesterday, I discovered what is absolutely the worst part of my job.  I didn't realize I had signed on for this duty, and I think we can all agree that it is not my strong point.  Dealing with grieving families.  Basically, they ended up dealing with me.

We got the sad news that one of our Flight Nurses in Hawaii had died very suddenly.  He was a part time employee, and happened to be working at his other job as a nurse in a local emergency room.  Thirty five years old, out of nowhere, he had a massive seizure and died right there on the ER floor. 

I knew him about as well as I know any of my employees.  Meaning, not that well, but I had spoken with him a few times over the last few months, discussing insurance and payroll and the 401(k) plan.  Nevertheless, it fell to me to contact his family to handle the minor details like final paychecks and personal belongings.

Being the Emotional Stronghold that I am (not), you can imagine that I was stoic and strong.  Nope.  Not at all.  Approximately 14 seconds into the phone call, his father just broke down and started crying.  And I broke down right along with him.  I just cannot bear to witness other people's grief.  It becomes my own grief immediately and I'm no good at being strong.  (What in the blue hell ever made me think for ONE SINGLE SECOND that I would be a good therapist????  Thank the Lord I bailed out on that plan.)

So anyway.  Go home and hug your family.  Hug your pets. 

Loves!