infinite seconds of humanity
this might be pathetic but one of the things i appreciate about being an aide or teacher or nurse is the moments you get while the client or patient goes potty. there are at least 30 seconds (could be more, if a bowel is going to move), that you must just STAND THERE. as i am, i don’t want to do much more than stand there. i crave moments of standing there. i might stretch. i might take a deep breath. i might hold my breath and get a little head rush as i breathe out. i might do a “wall sit.” i might stretch my calves, or quads, or chest by spreading my arms out against the wall behind me. these are the things i need to do the most. and in that moment, i get paid to do them. then my clients asks for a wipe, and i wipe their butt while wearing a glove. then it’s back to work. but this break is more worthwhile than the “potty break” itself that employees try to utilize to get a little tiny bit of time back. Shitting on the clock is what we’d call it. this lady told me she’d take naps in the stall. other people go on their phones and communicate with their real lives. it’s like having to go to the bathroom is the ONLY TIME you’re allowed to have a little privacy during the work day. even at lunch, people don’t relax. i learned to eat while helping others eat. i feed Will with my left hand and myself with the right hand. i hate the smell of shit, just like anyone else. but at least it’s a small price to pay for tiny moments back from the Master Gobbler of Time (your boss).