Tracy Dudzinski
I have always said this profession has given me more than I could ever give it.
Thirteen years ago, when I took the training to become a certified nursing assistant just because I needed a job, little did I know that it would change my life forever. I have learned many lessons over the years from being a direct care worker.
One of the first was that everybody loves a baby.
Actually, I think everyone loves a pregnant person. I remember when I started to showing. The residents loved to touch my belly. We would have wonderful conversations about when they had babies or when their children were little. As my pregnancy progressed and my belly got bigger I could walk in the room and the mood would change. If they could feel the baby kick, they would be in a great mood the rest of the shift.
But that was nothing compared to what happened after my daughter, Sophia, arrived.
Sophia became a regular visitor at the nursing home, and even the grumpiest person would melt when I placed Sophia in their arms.
Sophia would brighten the day of Molly, a bedridden woman in hospice. I would lay my daughter in the bed with her, and for the next 30 minutes or so I believe her life was okay. Molly would smile and coo at Sophia and whisper sweet nothings to her.
Sophia also visited Maggie, a stroke victim. Maggie would not use her arm for anything else, but the minute Sophia laid next to her, her arm would move and she would touch Sophia’s cheek. Maggie usually had a hard time speaking, but speech came easy to her when she talked to Sophia.
My favorite story from Sophia’s baby years was the confidence she gave to an elderly gentleman who was developmentally disabled. George enjoyed holding Sophia and talking to her. One day, the nursing home was having an ice cream social. I asked George if he wanted to babysit. When I asked, he got a big smile on his face and sat up a little straighter in his wheelchair. He sat at the end of the table and rocked the stroller back and forth. He told everyone who came through the line that he was babysitting. He talked about that for years afterwards.
Sophia’s visits to the nursing home continued until I left to do home care. She gave the residents a wonderful gift: herself. She brightened many lives on her visits.
But I think those visits were also a gift that I gave her. I believe they made her a more compassionate person. She very seldom cried when she was doing baby visit therapy. It was like she knew she was making a difference.
To this day, Sophia is not afraid to talk with an elder and is very patient with them. She now helps care for her grandmother, who is a hospice patient.
I guess all that love she got as a baby has to come out somehow.
Tracy Dudzinski, CNA
Board member
Direct Care Alliance
What a sweet story Tracy. What a gift of generosity for Sophia and her caregivers.
Thank you for this post, Tracy. Your writing is insightful and entertaining. I can clearly see the joy that your daughter created in the lives of people at the home – and the story about the gentleman “babysitting” is endearing and delightful!
I loved reading your article, Tracy! What a cool story to share!
You have always been special – even before you were recognized for being special. What a great gift you gave to your residents all those years ago — but also to all of us now, by sharing the joy you brought them.
I’m sure your blog will give other women the idea of doing what you did during your pregnancy and by sharing Sophia.
Thanks for the wonderful article! I can just picture the residents you described, and it brought tears to my eyes to think of the wonderful gift you gave them through her.
It’s wonderful, too, to know the experience has prepared Sophia to continuing caring and supporting people.
This is one of the most beautiful, touching and sweet stories I’ve ever heard. Thanks for the tears of joy and reminder of the abundance of joy and soulfulness there is in our work. Love you, Tracy! And, thanks for sharing this part of your caregiver journey with all of us.