Every Hello Ends With A Goodbye

 "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

As a child, patience was a virtue that I did not possess. I never enjoyed waiting for things to come to me. But as life happened, and God taught me some very important lessons, I discovered that everything happens in its time. And it's always worth waiting for. Knowing all of this has given me the kind of patience it takes to teach classes of Senior citizens how to use the computer.

This job I have is not for most people. In fact when I tell people what I do, they look at me like I'm crazy. And then they always say the same thing: You must have a lot of patience!

Now, before you think I've mastered the art of patience, let me tell you there are days that I fail miserably at it. My dog, in particular, knows how to push ALL of my buttons. It's probably because he knows me too well. Niko knows that if he runs in circles around the house as fast as he can, messing up the area and hall rugs, I come unglued. And when he's not getting his way, that's exactly what he does. Or if I deny him something he truly wants, he will run into the bedroom and emerge with a shoe, a hat or something valuable of mine. Not my husband's. Mine. Then, he'll plop himself down in the middle of the living room floor and begin ripping whatever he's found to shreds. It's on those days that I have to take a moment and breathe deeply. I love my dog--probably a little too much--but he is the perfect example of one of the many things that tests my patience daily. I think it's shown me that patience is something we have to practice every day. We don't ever really master it.

Niko: my patience tester ;)

So, when it comes to these sweet older people, who usually have zero computer experience, my husband is amazed at the amount of patience I have to continually repeat myself without getting agitated. Especially when it comes to explaining the difference between a left-click on the mouse and a right-click (for those of you reading and trying to figure it out how to explain it: You use a left-click to select or open; right-click to pull up a command menu).

What I've discovered about this job of mine is that I don't just teach Seniors how to turn on the computer and search the internet. I help them conquer their fears. I hear their stories of failure and triumph. I listen to their concerns and doubts. I see them give everything they have to something and walk away confident in their abilities.

I'm not just a teacher; I'm a friend, a good listener and an encourager. That's my job. It's not to push them until they're stressed out or frustrated. It's not just about teaching them how to use the computer; it's about making a positive difference in their lives.

So, when I go to my last class this afternoon (before my new class starts next week), it's going to be bittersweet. Because even though I've taught them everything they'll need to know to be successful with the computer, I don't want it to end. I devote a large amount of time to these people and they become a big part of my life. Saying goodbye is always hard, but I know that there will be new students soon and they'll need me just as much as these students did seven weeks ago.

Every hello ends with a goodbye. But my students have taught me that some goodbyes are really good. They're reminders that people come into our lives to be encouraged, lifted up, and helped. And when we've given them all we can, they leave better off than when they first walked in.