Sherut Leumi

How can I explain it?
Well, first of all, maybe I should clarify what exactly it is that I my sherut leumi is. Sounds reasonable :) I am working at Sha'ari Tzedek and it is really really really, ummm, amazing! I thought it would be stupid, but the hospital doesnt function without the benot sherut. We do everything that is not medical and therefore, the doctors and nurses have more time to focuse on the patients. The patients also recieve more attention and the visitors know that the hospital is a friendly place, seeing as us benot sherut are always smiling, happy, and helpful!
I work in the internal medicine ward. I get to deal with doctors, nurses, patients, and visitors. (Wait, dont all the sherut leumi people who work in the hospital do that? No, some work in offices or labs, and then there are not as many people who you need to recognize and talk to.) I was a little freak out when I realized that I was going to have to work with so many people. My ward is also one of the hardest ones to work in, in the whole hospital, so how much more so... But as it turns out, I dont think I could be happier anywhere else. The staff are considerate, helpful and funny. The patients, well, they are a different story. All of them are sick, go figure, and most of them are old (meaning over 70) and some of them are, ummm, senile? Out of thirty something patients, one is in his thirtys. Hopefully he will recover quickly and get to go home.
So what do I do? I know that you are all waiting anxiously to find out. Explain please!
This isnt going to sound so amazing to you, in fact it seems a little stupid, but it is such important work. I will explain why in a minute.
I think the thing that takes the most time everyday is dealing with the food. Yes, the benot sherut give out breakfast, lunch, and supper. The kitchen sends up these big carts with a tray for every patient and we have to then dish out the cereal, soup, or other hot liquid into bowls and give it out to the patients who can eat. After all the patients have their food, the ones who are incapable of feeding themselves need to be fed. It freaked me out the first time I feed an old women, but then I realized that if I didnt feed her, she woudlnt eat. The most basic necessities are food and water. And I am giving that to her. I dont think you know what I am talking about, but after getting her to eat the whole tray of food, and recuporate partially becasue of it... It is such a good feeling. I dont know how to put it into words.
Apart from food and making sure the patients are comfortable, there is office work to be done. I am sure that this part of the job will become routine and tedious soon, but for now its still new and exciting. Fillling out forms and making sure every patient has a tik and keeping the front desk in order. The only part I dont like is.... answering telephones!
I get a lot of exercise everyday. I dont even have to make time for it. Running up and down the stairs (anywhere between one and eight flights) really helps my leg muscles! stam, its true though. Every day after work, I cant feel anything from my lower back and down, but you know what? It doesnt matter. It is so worth it.
Its taken me a while to write this post, and so now it Is in fact late.
My second week of Sherut Leumi is starting! I can hardly wait!