Making People Happy With Marbles

[Kimbernugs]

I work in a support role in healthcare and see patients every day battling some pretty serious stuff. I get to know many of these fine folks because I see them for daily radiation treatments for weeks or even months. A little bit ago, I put up a little sign that says "I collect old marbles". I struggled with that because I didn't want to come across as tacky, but as our primary patient population grew up during those prime early American machine-mades that I like to collect, I took a chance. The response has been wonderful. While I have received a few simple corkscrews and Pelt baseballs here and there, most people love to regale me with their tales from when they were kids and used to play various marble games. Others tell me they have a stash of mibs somewhere in the house, and they'll try to find them for me. Of course, I get all jittery inside with anticipation of someone bringing in an old milk jug full of CAC flames. Can you imagine? But I digress. 

Most folks bring in newer marbles that they just found especially pretty. They know I pass out marbles to patients going through treatments and having an especially hard time. I give them a big tin full and they get to pick out their very own "lucky marble" to keep in their pocket or purse while going though chemo or radiation. The patients love it. I have patients who come in months after they've finished treatment and show me they still carry the marble with them daily. How cool is that? So when those patients bring me pretty marbles, they are excited to add them to the tin knowing it just might make someone smile and feel like people care about them. People helping people. And with marbles!

This morning a patient brought me this gift of marbles and a book to go along with it. I just think it's wonderful how kind people can be. The past few years have been especially trying, and adding in a bit of sunshine makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And all from one, little glass ball.

[Ric]

This is cool, Kimber - very kind of you. It sounds like the patients are lucky to have you around.

[Kimbernugs]

1 hour ago, Ric said:

This is cool, Kimber - very kind of you. It sounds like the patients are lucky to have you around.

No, I'm the lucky one. I love what I do and I feel truly blessed to work in such a loving environment.

[wvrons]

Nice. Marbles were made to make smiles old or newer.  

[schmoozer]

10 hours ago, Kimbernugs said:

I work in a support role in healthcare and see patients every day battling some pretty serious stuff. I get to know many of these fine folks because I see them for daily radiation treatments for weeks or even months. A little bit ago, I put up a little sign that says "I collect old marbles". I struggled with that because I didn't want to come across as tacky, but as our primary patient population grew up during those prime early American machine-mades that I like to collect, I took a chance. The response has been wonderful. While I have received a few simple corkscrews and Pelt baseballs here and there, most people love to regale me with their tales from when they were kids and used to play various marble games. Others tell me they have a stash of mibs somewhere in the house, and they'll try to find them for me. Of course, I get all jittery inside with anticipation of someone bringing in an old milk jug full of CAC flames. Can you imagine? But I digress. 

Most folks bring in newer marbles that they just found especially pretty. They know I pass out marbles to patients going through treatments and having an especially hard time. I give them a big tin full and they get to pick out their very own "lucky marble" to keep in their pocket or purse while going though chemo or radiation. The patients love it. I have patients who come in months after they've finished treatment and show me they still carry the marble with them daily. How cool is that? So when those patients bring me pretty marbles, they are excited to add them to the tin knowing it just might make someone smile and feel like people care about them. People helping people. And with marbles!

This morning a patient brought me this gift of marbles and a book to go along with it. I just think it's wonderful how kind people can be. The past few years have been especially trying, and adding in a bit of sunshine makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And all from one, little glass ball.

May God bless you for your efforts!!❤️❤️❤️

[Kimbernugs]

17 minutes ago, schmoozer said:

May God bless you for your efforts!!❤️❤️❤️

Awww, thanks. I think I have the best job in the whole world. The way I look at it, I get paid to be kind to people. Does it get any better than that?

[schmoozer]

37 minutes ago, Kimbernugs said:

Awww, thanks. I think I have the best job in the whole world. The way I look at it, I get paid to be kind to people. Does it get any better than that?

Haha, I also have a dream job. I get paid to piss people off, by showing them the truth about their building operations. They say they want to know the truth, but many scream like babies when I do. Some realize it afterwards and are appreciative, some just fire me, after paying the bill. The truth will eventually set them free. But they get educated regardless, and I can only hope they teach their staff so they don’t have to bring me back in for a second round.