Let's start with a little back story. I moved away from home to attend college about 2 years ago. After finishing my Bachelor's degree I knew I needed more to be happy in a career. I found it... But I found it 5 hours away from home (Sorry Mom).
So after college, I get a job. Perfect. except for I'm homesick. There isn't a huge demand for RTs back home and I have my own barrier with working in my field in my hometown (I'll talk about it another time). So I stay here, I feel homesick and then BAM! a present falls right in my lap.
My Coordinator tells me one day that we are getting a gentleman client that is from my home town!!! YAY! Finally a piece of home all this way.
So he comes to program; he's a little apprehensive about coming and meeting new people, but we talk for an hour about our shared home town and the coincidence it is to find each other so far from home etc. What started out as him not really wanting to come to the program to trial, ended with "Alright kid, I'll see you next week and I'll bring by those pictures that I was telling you about".
My heart melted. I have convinced this man to come back. Between myself and my coworkers, he was hooked on the program.
Over the next few weeks, he signs up for weekly program, he gets more comfortable with the group. It's fantastic.
I finally have someone I can relate to. My stories of back home and the craziness are all validated by this little old man that calls me 'kid'. I have my little piece of home that helps me get through my week.
Then he drops what I call the most full of feelings bomb. He invites me to his BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!! He tells me that I may know some people coming from home and that I am to bring my boyfriend and he wants to meet him and (I quote) "If you don't come I won't talk to you anymore!" So, of course, I have to go!
And we did go. And it was amazing. It was a little weird seeing a client outside of the program, but his family was sooooo welcoming and so glad we made it. It just warmed my heart. And sure enough, I did know someone from back home at his party! All in all, it was like spending time with the family you don't see often; the family that lives a few provinces away and you only see every 5-10 years kind of vibes. But it felt like FAMILY.
So now I see my client at work, and it's like nothing has changed. I'm still his 'kid', he's still my client, but now he askes how my boyfriend is doing, and when we are coming over for another beer.
So the moral or whatever of this post/story is that...it's okay to get close with a client and their family. It happens. We had a connection and it has grown into something fantastic. It hasn't changed my work ethic, it doesn't go against policies or anything, and it only does each party good (in this case it does).
He's my little piece from home, and I'm his. We both get homesick and talk about how beautiful it is back home. We joke that whoever goes back to visit next is taking the other in their suitcase as a stowaway.
His role in my life has become so overwhelming that I almost missed it happening.
Okay, so I've shared all of the feelings and now I am crying on my keyboard and need to stop. So, until next time, enjoy the experiences and the relationships you develop. They mean more to both of you then you think.
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