Smiles

My job is great. I mean most days I find that I enjoy it while I am there and forget about it immediately after I leave - for me that is the perfect kind of job...there are so many other things in my life I don't want my job to invade my life outside of my work time.

Today, however, my job was fantastic. I was looking after a boy who was having teeth out under general anaesthetic and this is a summary of our meeting - for the sake of his privacy we'll call him Billy...

I met Billy and began to prepare him for his anaesthetic. I put 'special' cream on him, gave him calpol and chatted to him. I could tell that Billy was quite scared so I did what I do when a child is scared - I smiled - a big wide smile and told him, 'Billy don't worry, everyone here is very nice and we will look after you'.

Billy smiled back at me - the kind of smile that makes you want to smile even more. His face lit up and he said to me in a confidential whisper 'Katie, I'm a bit tired and bored'. I smiled even more and replied 'I know, but soon it will all be finished and we will give you a nice drink, ok'. He nodded and gave me a huge grin all over again.

Then Billy went off to sleep and when he woke up another nurse was looking after him. Billy woke up very frightened and was struggling on the bed and crying out. I swiftly moved over to the bed and called his name - 'Billy' He turned his head, looked at me and I smiled, a big wide smile. 'It's me' I said, He smiled back at me the hugest smile and his face was full of peace instantly. 'Do you remember Katie?' the other nurse asked him. Billy just carried on looking at me, smiling and nodded his head. My spirit soared and I realised that I am so blessed. He knew that there was nothing to be afraid of and that makes me so happy.

What a priviledge it is to do my job.