Usually just about this time of year, my excitement about the upcoming holidays begins to fade. I get a little down, and I can't wait for the new year to come - but not this year! And that's odd because, duh.... COVID! I've witnessed a lot of people die this year from COVID, both my patients and my friends. Then I blew my knee out and ended up having to retire from the job I loved in the ICU. I had to say goodbye to the friends I'd had there for many, many, many years. I had to rely on the help of family and friends during my recovery, and some of that was rather humiliating. Then I had to find a new job, and had to learn so many new things, and get to know so many new people, and then COVID came back, and...... Well, it's been quite a year - for you too, I'm sure. Can you ... View Post
Jim’s Good Story
I really didn't know what else to title this blog. I love a good story, and I love a crowd of people gathered around to hear one. And if you're a Christian and you follow Jesus - you've got a story to tell. In fact, I would argue that not only do you have a story to tell, you are obligated to tell it. Sharing your story should bring you great joy, and always, always point others to Christ (not to yourself). My friend died today, and he had a great story. "Cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me," he told me one Christmas as my friend and I walked through the live nativity with he and his wife. I asked him that night if I got a crowd together - would he come over and tell his story? He couldn't wait, but we never got around to doing that, and I'm sorry tonight. Jim ... View Post
When I Grow Up
I have this friend. I cannot tell you her name, but she is who I hope to be wise, and kind, and generous, and thoughtful like when I grow up. Let me tell you why... For several years now, I have watched this friend serve her friends and others in the community when they are sick, or struggling, or sad, or financially hurting, or just in need of a ride somewhere, or a few bags of groceries. She drops off meals, listens intently, cooks homemade soups, writes checks, buys thoughtful gifts, calls, sends cards, checks in on people, encourages, prays - and when I say she prays - I mean this woman storms heaven with her prayers! What sets my friend apart from most people is that she doesn't advertise all that she does for others. She doesn't call people and tell them of her ... View Post
See Ya Later, Crocodile!
I had thee most uneventful day today. I spent almost two hours organizing my pretty paper and stationery. Oh, and I ironed for just about as long. My junk drawer also needed some purging, so that happened, but I was soon distracted by a small blue notebook where I recorded funny things my sons said when they were really young. So of course, I stopped everything I was doing and sprawled across my bed to flip through the pages. I know I laughed out loud - really loud, as if I was hearing some of these things for the very first time. How I wish I'd have recorded more. And how I wish I'd have taken more pictures. I need to not make this mistake with my grandchildren. I need more pictures! When we're raising our littles, I think we are all too busy chasing them around to record ... View Post
Be Quiet, Siri – I Will Not Return to the Route
Yesterday after lunch, I was seeing a patient not far from my home, so I had a general idea of where I was going. I still went ahead and plugged the address into my phone though, because I'd need the details once I got closer. I began driving down Metro Parkway, and Siri told me to stay there for two miles and then turn on Garfield, but that's not nearly as pretty a drive, especially this time of year, as driving down Millar Road. So I went out of my way and turned and chose the winding two lane road where trees whose colors are changing line the street. Siri would not stop telling me to "Return to the route. Return to the route. Return to the route." In fact, I'm convinced she got louder, the further away I drove from the route she thought I ought to take. So I yelled at her. I ... View Post
Spiritual Castor Oil
After an extensive knee surgery back in May of this year, I've been slowly trying to get back to "normal," but I'm not really quite sure yet what that new normal looks like yet. My limp is finally gone, and that's good! And I've been going to the local park that is alongside the St. Clair Lake and walking my old route. Sometimes I have to cut it short, but other times I can walk the entirety of the park with just a couple of stops. And as far as I'm concerned, that's okay. Just two months ago I couldn't even make it up the stairs, or carry my dinner to the table because I was using crutches. It's okay. I'm making progress. Years ago, I used to actually go running at this very same park, but those days are over. And back in 1986 through about 1991, I used to actually run for an ... View Post
Blurry Vision
You're going to be tempted to think I'm rather slow at picking things up when I tell you this, and while it's true that sometimes I can be, especially when it comes to board games, this particular time, I promise you I think this was purposeful on the part of the Lord. He wanted to teach me something. He always wants to teach me something. One morning about a month ago, I woke up, stretched, rubbed my eyes, and grabbed my morning devotional book. I always try to read today's message before I get out of bed. This particular morning, though, it was sooo very blurry, but only with my right eye. I got out of bed, washed my glasses, got back in bed, put them back on to read, and they were still blurry. I examined them looking for any scratches, but I didn't see any. (But really, how ... View Post
Bye bye, Medical Intensive Care Unit
When I left my unit, and walked out of the hospital back in May, I really believed I'd have surgery and come back soon. I never anticipated an entire summer spent at home recovering from an extensive surgery on my knee, and coming to embrace the fact that I should probably look for a job less physically demanding than ICU. It wasn't until about a month ago that I started looking seriously at other job opportunities, and when this one from NORMUK landed in my lap, I simply couldn't turn it down. But it was not a decision that came easy, and that's because I love you, peeps. I have such mixed emotions. I love, love, love the end-of-life aspect of working in ICU, and so accepting a position as a home hospice nurse was not a difficult decision when I used my head, but when it came to ... View Post