Death
In a job where a person sees so much pain, misery, and pure evil, it is only a matter of time before they become numb to it. Only natural, if you will. It becomes less and less traumatic and more and more mundane.
Then one day, the reaper hits a little closer to home. Not too close, but close enough to really get your attention. An untimely death. I was shocked at the news, but more surprised that the veil of numbness wasn't lifted; not even a little. And while I give my honest condolences and offer my assistance, I can't help but feel like some sort of monster.
Then one day, the reaper hits a little closer to home. Not too close, but close enough to really get your attention. An untimely death. I was shocked at the news, but more surprised that the veil of numbness wasn't lifted; not even a little. And while I give my honest condolences and offer my assistance, I can't help but feel like some sort of monster.
Labels: disturbing, the good the bad the ugly
posted by Moe at 11:48
4 Comments:
Moe:
You're not doing anything different that the rest of us have also done at some time in our lives...
You're human too.
(thank God)
A true monster would be someone that kills innocents blinmdly, and then smiles at their handiwork.
And neither of us is anywhere CLOSE to that, Boss.
Stay safe.
Dear Moe,
My take is a little different. Like Bob, I think you have to have some remove from death and misery. At the same time, I think you might have burnout or emotional exhaustion. That would mean you need rest and diversion to fill that well back up.
I wish you a healthy happy life, the best of everything to you, and good things for you.
You are my (electronic) neighbor, so I do check back,
Sincerely,
Ann T.
Just going to throw in my two cents here - because I'm the same.
Between the military and police I've seen too many die - friends and enemies both. Two the point that I am now completely numb to it I think - I can feel sorrow and sympathy, but why doesn't it go below the surface?
I wish I knew the answer - because while we have to keep some numbness to do the job, how do we avoid it at the cost of our humanity?
I work at a hospital, and have seen my fair share of death, timely and otherwise. I do not think that this is a moral or ethical issue, just one of self protection. Should those of us who deal with death on the regular were not able to step back and compartmentalize all of that pain death and suffering; we would be the ones not making it out alive.
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