An Explanation

I know I am a nut when it comes to fire and electricity (refering to my first comment here). I am well aware that I over react. I am not disputing this; I own it completely without shame.

You see, I work at a pediatric burn hospital as a music therapist. Every day at work, I see the effects of fire, electricity, scalds, and chemicals. I am with children through their dressing changes when they are initially burned. I am with them as they go through physical and occupational therapy after the injury or a surgery. I am with them as they come back for subsequent surgeries to enhance function and appearance. I see, hear, and know what happens. I never ever want that to happen to my beloved, my friends, me, or anyone.

My beloved AJWP has to endure my nuttiness. I don’t tell her much of what I see, read, hear, and know because I cope best by keeping the tragedies of work at work and not at home. She hears some stories of the ones I just cannot shake off. So when she has to look in my earnest but slightly crazed eyes when I get all het up, she is kind and humors me. I think she senses all I do not say and understands the fear working around such trauma can create.

Lest you think I am the sole nut, let me assure you, I am not. All my coworkers (Child Life Specialists, PTs, OTs, nurses, etc.) all talk about how we have become hyper-vigilant because of working where we do. And none of us are apologetic for our craze. No, we embrace it.