Today, I begin a new journey. I don't know where the road ahead will carry me. I only know these are new emotions I am feeling as I look forward to new experiences. I also know I'm not going to spend the rest of my days lounging around the house in my pink bath robe, watching Soap Operas, or Oprah, or game shows, eating bon-bons and putting on 50 pounds.
I still have dreams.
Looking back, I cannot believe it has been 35 years since I first contemplated entering the field of nursing. THIRTY-FIVE YEARS! Half of my lifetime! I think I always knew I would be a nurse. Some seed was planted inside of me that was dormant for the first one-half of my life and only needed the slightest nudge from a dear friend to step onto the path that led me to where I am today.
I shall forever be grateful for Colleen Brown for giving me that nudge. I'm grateful, too for a good husband who supported my decision to go back to school and for the patience of my children who had to sacrifice so much. Without their support and encouragement through those tough school years, I don't think I could have ever done what I did at the age of 35.
I'm grateful for a mother who taught me how to listen to my "gut" and gave me intuitive knowledge about taking care of the sick and wounded. She should have been a nurse herself, because she was so good at taking care of us when we were growing up. Her mother was a midwife, as was her grandmother. She learned many valuable lessons from them.
Yes, today I hang up my cap and my stethascope and feel so many wonderful emotions connected to my career in Nursing. I have been up to my elbows in blood and other bodily fluids as an ER Nurse; I have been gratified to participate in many code situations in which life was returned; I have sat by the bedside of the dying and the recovering and held hands and listened to their stories and shouldered their fears; and I have flown the blue skies over Utah, transporting many patients who needed our services in order to survive one of life's onslaughts.
I pray that for whatever is left of my life that I will find joy in my unknown future. God bless all of those Angels of Mercy who remain in the practice of nursing. I pray their careers will give them as much fulfillment as mine has given me.
6 comments:
Oh Mom, this made me cry! My whole life you've been a nurse, it's been as much a part of my life as yours, I'd say. Your career choice had a huge impact on my life as well & I'm so grateful for that. I love you so much & have always been so proud & honored to have you as my mom! I can't wait to turn the page & see what you do in the next chapter :)
Florene, this made me cry too. What an incredible nurse you are. Thousands have been the lucky ones to have you as their nurse. I know they got the best possible care when you were caring for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked side by side you. Even more grateful to call you my friend. I hope you have a blast in your next chapter. Take care, Love ya, Char
Good times Mom! Your life as a nurse gave you so much. It also gave me so much. It gave me an example to look to when it came time for me to work and raise my own kids. Your strength and work ethic showed me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
Future patients will have be satisfied with the care that others give now. You have earned your long needed rest. Or should I say, long delayed fun?!
You so deserve a good break!! I'm sure the lord has much in store for you ;)
So happy for you Grandma! You deserve some R&R!!!
Such a great post. I love that you are a nurse and bring help and comfort to people who are hurting and you help them feel better. You will always be a nurse, even if you are leaving the profession...you will always continue to heal people with your love and compassion.
Love you. Rest. Be happy.
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