Is Your Best Enough?

"I am a Registered Nurse," Christine Marshall argues. "I can't teach a Personal Care Aide class in Timbuktu!"

"You are the only one here with seniority and the experience. Plus Admin chose you," Colleen, her boss defends.

"Can't you get someone else to teach this class? I already have a lot on my plate," she refused.

"Sorry, but you are the chosen one, and it's only for six days."

"But I have never taught a class before," Christine fought back.

"Well, that experience will be added to your resume."

"You don't understand," Christine protested. "I have never taught a class before."

"There are many firsts in life. This is one of them," Colleen enlightens.

"What if I refuse?"

"Then your refusal could interfere with possible future promotion and other areas of your employment opportunities here," Colleen said.

After a long sigh, Christine reluctantly took the necessary information and instructions.

Two days later, Colleen sat in a tiny room facing six males and females of different races and ages. Staring at them, the nurse inside of her battled with why me?

Day1: Punctuality was 65%. 60% adhered to the dress code rules. And 50% ignored the rules against eating in class and using a cellphone, even with signs on the wall indicating that they shouldn't. It was like teaching a class of adult delinquents. Doing two quizzes and two Personal Care Aide skills took all day and all of her energy.

I have five days to go. Christine encouraged her strength and capability, still battling with 'why am I here.'

For the next three days, she fought through nine more quizzes and seven skills on personal care of their clients, which was taking a toll on her mentally, emotionally, and physically. Because every five minutes, she had to stop and ask someone to turn off their phone and not to eat in class. On the final skill, half of the class went to the bathroom.

The anger burst through, and she locked the door. Someone banged on it. She opened it and angrily dismissed everyone without their daily reviews of the day's topics.

The following day, she laid down the law and took what she wanted from them without asking. The battle to get adults to do the right thing was won by force.

Still, the regret of not having a choice held on.

On the final day, breathing in and out in happiness, relieved that it was over and everyone had left, she noticed an envelope on her desk. Glancing around, she slowly took it up. Her name was written on the front.

Opening the envelope, it was a thank you card.

It said, "Dear Mrs. Marshall, my instincts alert that you came to us unwillingly. I am glad you did, because sometimes, life puts us in a place we don't want to go or be in, but it's a place where we can do the most good. And you have. Brain Fog has affected me, thanks to COVID 19. Your teaching method is fantastic and has assisted in rewiring my brain back to how it was. You pushed my brain to do things nothing else could. It's like my brain is regenerating as you teach. My grades have reflected that. Thank you for giving me back my life." A student with gratitude.

Something surged through Christine, and she clasped her hands as tears cascaded down. A voice from her heart encourages, "You didn't want to do it, but you did your best, and that's enough."

This story is nonfiction. Sometimes, against our will, life puts us in a place where we can do the most good. Unknowingly, we use hope to pull someone away from the edge. Thus saving a life.

Do your best wherever you go, even if it's an unwilling task.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoy it and will enjoy more from some talented writers on this platform.

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