That is so true, MMario. I also worked as an aide in a nursing home; fortunately I was young enough to noy realise my own mortality, but that did not lessen the sorrow of losing any patient, but esp. the favourites, nor lesson the anger I felt towards the relatives of people who'd been virtually *dumped* there, never to see their fmailies again. My children were pretty much the only ones who ever came to visit, though many of the residents had grandchildren.

I write again, though, more because I had a another thought (uh-oh!) Often we get so used to signing off with certain words, that I don't think we think about what they really mean; you know the ole' "Have a nice day" syndrome? I am guilty of this, but this thread has made me think about how I often sign messages with "take care". In this thread we've spoken much about "caring". I am interested in the origin of the expression to "take care". I know it is probably derived from early warnings of "be ware", etc.

I have decided, in my case, as I said to Mark to "take care", I mean, literally, to "take my care and concern for you and use to your best advantage."

How about it? How do you sign off and what does it really mean? do you think about it much? Just curious. Thanks (really!)

kat