The Flash of a Beautiful Memory

917 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: significant trauma and personal growth essay

It was an early morning start to a day that had begun as so many have preceding it. As I drove to work before the dawn had peaked over the horizon, I was blissfully unaware of the impact this day would have on me. The thought that this crisp, autumn day in October might be my last or anyone’s last day to live had never crossed my mind. As I entered my workplace I instantly gained awareness of my surroundings. I have worked with brain-injured individuals for three years. Making it impossible not to recognize that our comfortable, meaningful lives can be altered in the flash of a beautiful memory.
Every day when I arrive at work I am overcome with a feeling of responsibility of my clients. That feeling of guardianship has never diminished in the years I have spent working with such diverse individuals. One client in particular, Kenny, has overcome incredible obstacles, remaining as optimistic as ever. I personally admire his sense of appreciation of life even after being a victim of such traumatic events. For Kenny, the injury was as simple as slipping on black ice and hitting the back of his head, causing unimaginable damage to his brain functions.
As I stand in the dining room waiting for dinner to be served, amongst half a dozen anxiously prepared clients, I know they have grown impatient. It’s a quaint room with four tables and only twelve or so seats. The room, like most here, gives the feel of traditional design. The owner, straying from industrial impressions, tries to give the feel of home away from home. A client stands by the window intently watching our chef finish meddling with the burgers and hot dogs atop the flame-throwing grill. A grill-out is a rare happening here; the clients have become anxious for a variation fr...

... middle of paper ...

...uring one of my visits with him at the hospital, he told me of his recollection of the trauma. All Kenny remembered seeing during his near death experience was his father, who had died when he was young. I thought of this as the flash of a beautiful memory, the moment fate intervened. His strength and optimism are admirable in the cards he has been dealt. I have grown to appreciate life in its entirety, whether it is my life or anyone else’s. Not taking a single moment for granted is something we probably hear often from elders but they’re wise words to live by. Life can be taken from us as quickly as it was given. This is one situation that has profoundly taught me to live with no regrets, and for my loved ones to know how deeply I have loved. Life is a precious gift in which we have no control of time, and of which can be taken in the flash of a beautiful memory.

Show More
Related

  • The Hunger Of Memory Sparknotes

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    This book was published in 1981 with an immense elaboration of media hype. This is a story of a young Mexican American who felt disgusted of being pointed out as a minority and was unhappy with affirmative action programs although he had gained advantages from them. He acknowledged the gap that was created between him and his parents as the penalty immigrants ought to pay to develop and grow into American culture. And he confessed that he got bewildered to see other Hispanic teachers and students determined to preserve their ethnicity and traditions by asking for such issues to be dealt with as departments of Chicano studies and minority literature classes. A lot of critics criticized him as a defector of his heritage, but there are a few who believed him to be a sober vote in opposition to the political intemperance of the 1960s and 1970s.

    Read More

  • Left Neglected: The Power of the Mind

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, “Left Neglected” truly helps one understand the importance of the brain and the massive effects that injuring it can have. An injury itself is life threatening, a recovery may not even occur. Huge life adjustments may need to be made. The brain is the life force for any living animal, and it is important to realize that further understanding the areas of the brain and how they are interconnected in forming the reality in which every human being can see can only help solve problems for people like Sarah Nickerson. For the time being, the first step we can take is prevention and maybe driving a little slower to work when we are on the freeway.

    Read More

  • The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    Create-a-meal, no my friend, instead you are given the tools to create-a-setting. You are presented with brilliant horses and jubilant music, bright colors and beautiful scenery, a blissful introduction, indeed. Shockingly enough, in the second paragraph it is quickly taken away from you. A dagger penetrates your balloon image. You are told that the smiles and happiness of the city are not genuine. Ursula K.

    Read More

  • Themes In Wendell Berry's 'The Pleasures Of Eating'

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his essay “The Eco-Gastronomic Mirror: Narcissism and Death at the Dinner Table” Jordan Shapiro explores the psychological aspects of the human relationship with food. He comments on the ways in which the imperfections in the food are masked in the kitchen. The author reiterates his experience at the hands of older male chefs and the things he saw and felt while training in the kitchen. He endeavors to debunk the myth that cooking in a large kitchen is anything but noisy and infernal, as portrayed by movies such as “Ratatouille (2007)”.

    Read More

  • Summary Of TED Video 'My Stroke Of Insight'

    480 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the TED video “my stroke of insight” brain scientist, Jill Bolte Taylor describes her life changing experience of having a massive stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain on December 10, 1996. Taylor begins her presentation by speaking about her brother’s mental illness and her research to find out what made him and other people with mental illnesses different from regular people. Taylor speaks about her work in the National Alliance on Mental Illness until she had her own experience with a brain disorder. Taylor states that on the morning of december tenth she had a brain hemorrhage and in four hours she lost all of her ability to process information. In “My stroke of insight” Taylor begins the presentation

    Read More

  • Example Of Nursing Personal Statement

    522 Words  | 2 Pages

    A week before Christmas in 2013, my stepfather suddenly lost consciousness. His body stiffened and he began to violently convulse – he was having a seizure. Later in the hospital, the doctors informed us that my stepdad had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. The anguish that I felt that night was eased by a nurse who talked to my family about my stepfather’s condition and assured us that the hospital would do everything that they can to assist him with recovery. The next few weeks were filled with uncertainty as my stepdad laid comatose, no knowledge of when or even if he would wake up. During that time, my interactions with the nurses always made me feel safe and comforted Unfortunately, he passed away in January 2014. Though this was a traumatic and life altering experience, what I remember most are the nurses that provided care to my stepfather. They went above and beyond their outlined job duties to care for my loved one and to make my family feel secure even in such a difficult time.

    Read More

  • Juxtaposition of Experiences: Working and Dining at Provino's

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    The experience of sitting down in Provino’s, and serving the table reside together in different worlds. The people who are hopefully enjoying their meals after a day of work, sit next to people whom are trying to make their living. Most customers don’t think about the job at hand, and instead they focus on having the best experience they can. Who can blame them? The worker’s job is to ensure the happiness of the client, but becomes exhausting after countless hours of doing other’s biddings. The way the workers and customers react to the situations around them can mean or feel completely different to the other. Customer’s reactions in regards to quality of service, complaints for both sides, and tipping are enough to generalize variances of working and eating at Provino’s.

    Read More

  • Gift From A Son Who Died Analysis

    274 Words  | 1 Pages

    Life often throws obstacles at you so, just like the theme in “Gift From a Son Who Died” don't let terrible news change who you are. Before being diagnosed with leukemia, Eric was an athlete with a competitive edge. Being used to doing all the activities Eric would do, he was only left at home sick with his goals, “... determined to go to college later, study hard, make the soccer team, eventually make all-American” (Lund 889). After having found out he had leukemia, Eric was still convinced that he was going to be able to play soccer and attend school with a life threatening condition. As Eric lived his life with leukemia, he often reminded himself of the valuable events in his life he wasn't

    Read More

  • Descriptive Essay: Chick-Fil-A

    543 Words  | 2 Pages

    The warming atmosphere is one of a kind. Behind the counter are the caring faces of not just a worker, but a friend. Regular guests are called by name, sharing stories of families and the past week with the welcoming employees. Sitting all around in tables and booths are patrons from every category. Beside the window on a high table to the left is a lawyer, to the right is a mother and her two kids. In a booth in the back is a construction worker still covered slightly in concrete from a road job he had been working on back on 19th Street. All of these, enjoying a delicious meal of their special combination.

    Read More

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    My objective in the long term is to provide therapeutic and counseling services that assist persons suffering with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) in coping and recovering from the mental illnesses that often accompany such tragedies. TBI/ABI has shown a proven link with “anxiety, depression, personality changes, aggression (National Alliance on Mental Illness Veterans Resource Center May 8, 2009 Traumatic Brain Injury)”, as well as many other issues. As the caregiver for a survivor of a rare and deadly strain of encephalitis, I have a personal perspective that I feel brings much to the discussion. I see the information I am currently gathering at Empire State College as the building blocks that pave the way to a thrilling career in a growing segment of the mental health industry. The CDC claims that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer TBIs annually (Centers for Disease Control Injury Center May 30, 2007 Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths) and it has been called the “signature injury” of the current wars in Iraq & Afghanistan by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. As such, it is my belief that we need to focus time and energy on developing new programs to help these patients to cope with the new limitations and encourage rehabilitation and restoration.

    Read More

  • Alzheimer's Case Study

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Nevid (2015), Alzheimer’s is “an irreversible brain disease with a gradual onset that leads to a slow but progressive deterioration of mental functioning involving profound memory loss and impaired judgement and reasoning ability” (p. 362). A significant number of American’s suffer from this demoralizing disease and the number is expected to “more than double to 13.8 million people by the year 2050” (Nevid, p. 363). This disease rips apart the lives of not only the patient but also family, friends, and often caregivers. If you have never had to witness first-hand how brutal Alzheimer’s is, count your blessings. I’ve watched two men that I respected and loved succumb to this disease and I hope to never have that experience again.

    Read More

  • Characteristics Of An Ideal Clinician

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Origami Rehabilitation Center helps patients who have experienced some sort of brain injury from a stroke to an accident. I believe that Juliane possess the important traits and qualities of an ideal clinician. Juliane would begin each session with a short conversation with the patient. Not only was she asking questions about the patient and their life, but she would also ask questions about the patient’s family. I found this amazing as she showed the patient that she cares about their life outside of the session. This short conversation went above and beyond any other clinicians I have observed. Furthermore, even with the caseload of patients Juliane sees, she was mindful to each patient. She made clear that each session was “client-centered” and understood the patient’s frustration or feelings. In conclusion, the time I spent at Origami was an extraordinary and eye-opening experience that I can honestly say I will remember forever. And it was not due to the patient’s I was able to observe, but because I was fortunate enough to observe Juliane. Juliane is someone whom truly cares about what she does and her patients. And that is what makes her the most ideal clinician I have ever had the chance to

    Read More

  • Olive Garden Observation

    1269 Words  | 3 Pages

    I began my observation on Wednesday, March 29th at 5:30 pm at a local Olive Garden restaurant. The weather was 54 degrees, sunny and slightly windy. Olive Garden is an Italian fare restaurant with over 800 chains throughout the United States. They present themselves as “keeping with modern day Italian traditions” (Olive Garden, 2017) when they promote their food. When one enters the door to the restaurant they are presented with Italian music or older music by artists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. As one makes their way to their seat, the decor is that of a modern Italian-themed home or restaurant. The most noted feature encountered was how calm and quiet it was within the restaurant. There was soft whispering amongst the guest and the

    Read More

  • Restaurant Management

    1719 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...g possibilities is the aspect of the business called the "demanding public"? The guests that come through the lobby of any restaurant demand a highly trained staff and a superior product no matter what extenuating circumstances exist "back in the kitchen". Orchestrating each and every element of the restaurant management so that it appears as if it is an effortless, smooth operation is a commanding, daily challenge.

    Read More

  • Descriptive Essay On Dinner

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    I enter an exquisite room welcomed by a benevolent host. I glance around and see dining tables strategically set as if the queen were to be expected. White flowers with silver sparkles adorn the tables to add a final touch. The lights are dimmed low and classical music plays in the background to create a placid atmosphere. A savory aroma fills the room making me crave the chef’s fine platter. The host leads my party to a table and offers us drinks. As we wait for dinner to begin, murmurs fill the room with general conversation.

    Read More

More about The Flash of a Beautiful Memory

Open Document