A Rainbow Of Colour

I loved the kit that I chose for this week's
DSS creative team assignment so much that I made two layouts with it. Here's one of them - with my Race For Life rapidly approaching I found it therapeutic to remember why I took part in last year's event, instead of dwelling on my memories of just how long that course is! Seriously though, I love to feel that I did something to make a difference. I think that's why I'm good at my job, because I always take the time to chat with the patients when they ring me about anything (changing appointments/new or increased symptoms of their eye disease/waiting list queries etc). I always try to remember that some of the elderly patients we have (and some of the not so elderly too) are lonely - I love how it feels when a patient rings up and I recognise their voice before they even announce themselves - lots of them are just so surprised that I would remember them. It's horrible to be lonely, and I really don't think it takes much for me to spare five minutes for a chat if it makes them feel like someone actually cares about them. I suspect this is probably why I can't walk down the clinic corridor when our clinics are on without hearing one or two people at least calling out my name. If I can come home at night knowing that I helped someone in some way, even if it was only listening to their worries, or changing their appointment for them or answering a question about their medications/condition/upcoming surgery etc, then I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did a good job. When so many of them apologise for disturbing me or think that they are perhaps a nuisance to me when I'm so busy, I simply remind them of the truth - it's my job to help them, it's why I am there. I doubt very much that any of the other secretaries at work have that sort of rapport with their patients, and that's what makes me so damn good at what I do!

I like to go above and beyond as well if I can. It gives me the warm fuzzies. I'm not going to boast or blow my own trumpet though, cos it takes away from the gesture of helping, I think.

Anyway, last year I did the Race For Life because our family has lost several people over the years due to cancer. In the past year, someone else I know has also been diagnosed with cancer, and you know, I don't think it's so much of a sacrifice for me to get off my bum and do this. I might not raise thousands of pounds, but I am sure that what I do raise will make a difference somewhere. Even if it is just a drop in the ocean, it still makes a difference - just actually taking part shows people that I care and that I want to help. It made the people that have sponsored me put their hands in their pockets and give generously to a very worthwhile cause, and more than anything else, it's given me something to work towards; it's encouraged me to get some exercise and train for this, and it will make me feel good about myself. Really, I'm doing the event again this year 'because I can'. Whether I'll feel the same way on Thursday night if it's peeing it down with rain or is freezing cold, who knows! Regardless, my philosophy as displayed in my layout is that doing something selfless for other people brings colour into your life (am I right? I think so!)

Anyway, my fingers ran away with me and I've typed a whole novel up there! I should have put the layout credits up the top!

Credits: Background papers, cardboard frame, flowers, flower clip - Valorie Brown's Colorfied kit; paper fold - Claudia Campbell's Double Fold Action Set 1 - both from DSS. Fonts are Pea Sara Script and Agent Orange.

I really love this page. I just sorta chucked everything at it and it all fell into place. A much better way to scrap than anally moving things around an inch here or half an inch there, if you ask me! (BTW, the anal placement of stuff is my usual style!)

At least that's this week's assignment out of the way, although we get a new assignment tomorrow (Wednesday). However, I am so behind, I've got about another six layouts that I need to get done this week for my other CTs, plus some other bits and pieces that I want to do. There just aren't enough hours in the day!