Yes, it’s true…. I was a Candy Striper. (That’s striper with one “p” not two.) For those of you who do not know the difference between a candy striper and a candy stripper let me tell you, one is a non-paid volunteer at a nursing home or hospital and the other is usually well paid, but mostly in ones, fives and tens.
The North Shore Hospital and Nursing Home had a Candy Striper program when I was in the seventh and eighth grades. There were five or six of us in my class who would walk to the hospital after school. There we’d change into the Candy Striper uniform, which was a cute red and white striped jumper with a bib on it like overalls. I really liked the dress. We’d all tie our hair up in red ribbons then we’d go to work. Other than babysitting, this was really my first “job.” I learned a lot. First we had to be on time. Even though it wasn’t far if you dawdled along the way you could make the walk last 20 minutes or so. Early on we learned to hustle. We had to punch a timecard, change clothes and be ready for work by 3:30.
Our jobs at the nursing home were not hard work and most of the time it was fun. Theyhad us work in teams of two. We played cards, painted fingernails and read letters to the residents with poor eyesight. Some ladies liked it if we’d do their hair. We’d hear story after story. Sometimes it was the same stories every week but it was fun to hear about their families and their childhoods.
Like me, most started out in life without running water so the favorite joke with one man was…“Do you know the coldest spot in the world? An outhouse seat in January!” This would get us laughing. He didn’t like it if we said the punch line though…it was his joke to tell. Between you and me that is
the coldest spot in the world. If you doubt it, plant your bare tushie in a snow bank then give me a call.
I remember that afternoon snack time included juice and the residents could pick what they liked. We set up little cups with orange juice, apple juice and prune juice. I had never in my life tried prune juice but I loved it. If we had extra cups of juice the nurses would let us each have one and I always picked prune juice. I didn’t know about the effects of prune juice. I only knew I liked the flavor, the thickness and the color. To this day I keep individually wrapped prunes on hand for a quick snack.
I laughed the other day as I was looking for a bundt cake recipe for the CCW (Counsel of Catholic Women) meeting. The recipe I found called for sweet dried plums …hmm…. isn’t that a prune? I think they are trying to disguise the truth so those with prune prejudice will get off their high horses and try something new. By the way, the CCW ladies said to tell you, the cake was delicious! So a prune juice toast to Candy Stripers everywhere! Enjoy!
Volunteers don’t get paid, not
because they’re worthless, but
because they’re priceless.
Sherry Anderson
Leave a Reply