Divine Guidance Brought Honoree Stephanie to Home Instead
In February, God had something in mind for Stephanie Graves and her compassionate heart after she had relocated to the Mount Airy area and began looking for a job. “I happened upon Home Instead® of Mount Airy through a blessing and after praying for guidance from The Main Man with The Plan, Jesus,” Stephanie explained.
She had noticed online that Home Instead needed Care Professionals, and she applied. Stephanie added: “It wasn’t long before I received that amazing call that they were interested in having me join their Home Instead family. I accepted, and it is one of the best decisions I have made.”
The Care Pro position was a perfect fit for Stephanie. “I have always been fulfilled by helping others, especially ‘well-seasoned people’ who have been around a while,” said Stephanie, whose humorous quip referred to seniors. “They know way more than I could ever know, and I love learning from them. It is an absolute honor to be a part of the Home Instead team. Not a single experience has been negative, and I have only gained growth. Each beautiful soul I have had the honor of meeting has left my cup even more full than before,” Stephanie asserted.
With Stephanie’s job success, client praise, staff recognition and an accolade followed. Home Instead Staff Coordinator Sharon Bledsoe announced Stephanie had been honored as the franchise’s September Care Pro of the Month. Sharon offered: “Stephanie has the sweetest spirit, and that is a plus for her clients.”
Working for Home Instead was not Stephanie’s first attempt at professional caregiving. She previously had worked for a rehabilitation and long-term care facility. Stephanie knew that helping others was not a question of “if,” but “how” was she going to continue her “amazing journey” after moving to the Mount Airy area. She’d been with that company for seven years before making a life change and relocating. “I was so happy when I learned I’d be able to help others within the comfort of their homes while working for Home Instead. Knowing I can make a difference is food for my soul,” Stephanie said.
Stephanie had not served as a family caregiver for elderly relatives when she was young. “I haven’t cared for anyone personally within my family, other than my kiddos, but have always been able to help others. To help others, I have taken out the trash, stopped to listen when they felt the need to talk, cleaned their homes and mowed their lawns. Whatever someone else needed, if I had the ability, I would do it, without question,” she said.
“I have always had this yearning that, when I come in contact with someone, even if it’s just passing in the store, work or home, I want to make sure I’ve left them feeling as if they are important. That’d be true whether we had met only for the moment or shared a space in time.”
Stephanie added: “When I think of what I like most about being a Care Pro, it is knowing I left someone a little better off than when I first met him or her. I love going home every day, knowing I had a part in making sure that person was taken care of to the best of my ability. I also was able to share the love of Jesus with them through my hands and heart. I love to encourage others. Although not perfect, I will give it my all and then some. I know no one wants to lose their independence, and it’s hard for seniors to have strangers coming into their home.”
It’s heartbreaking, Stephanie said, to see someone feel as if they can no longer do many things for themselves. She noted, “Going into a person’s home every day and making that helpless feeling less heavy and their environment brighter is why I feel honored to be a part of this amazing team.”
Stephanie’s favorite client experience occurred when she was chatting with a client. “We talked about life or something on the news. Out of nowhere, one of us heard something the wrong way, and we started laughing and laughing until we were crying,” Stephanie said. “That beautiful, precious woman filled my soul with laughter and love every day.”
Stephanie pointed out that companionship can be a two-way street. “My client did not know what I was carrying personally. At times, it was so heavy I didn’t know where I would find the strength. Even though I was going into her home to help her with her needs, she unknowingly was helping me heal from something that was very disheartening to me,” Stephanie said.
“Just knowing I could walk through her door and hear her beautiful voice, as well as conversing with her husband, was a spark that kept my fire burning. No matter who she meets, my client welcomes them as though they are family. I not only had the pleasure of experiencing the love of God through her, but through her whole family. They always said it was me, but in actuality, it was their family who enlightened my soul and helped my existence seem less heavy.”
