Today I was reminded of a young man named Eric, who at the age of 17, was tragically killed in a car accident. I was scrolling through facebook statuses, and there was the post from his sister, Leah. This is what it read: "Every year on this day, I try to come up with the perfect words to encompass the bittersweet emotions of life and death, and the meaning of the journey that lies in between. This is all I can come up with. 13 years ago the lives of almost everyone I know changed. Eric, I will love you always, no matter the distance. Love, your baby sister" I had an immediate lump in my throat. Our families knew each other well. Eric and his siblings had babysat my sons, and had even taught them how to swim. We had gotten Eric a lifeguard job at our pool that summer, so the ... View Post
The Blind Man’s Heart
I recently met a blind man. His inability to see was the result of a brain tumor. When speaking with him about his circumstances, he began to cry quietly, yet almost uncontrollably. He kept repeating, "I am sad. I am very, very sad." "And I am very sorry," was the only response I knew to say.... I mean, what DOES one say to a fairly young man who has recently lost his SIGHT? Expecting him to tell me he was saddened over never being able to see his wife or children again, I was humbled when his response came. In fact, his response kind of kicked me in my gut. "I am sad," he said, "because my family back home in the Philipines is very, very poor, and since I became blind, I cannot send them money for food and to live." Wow! Wow, wow, wow! To be living right in the middle of ... View Post
There Once Was a Nurse
I have the privilege often of being with people during the last days of their lives. In fact, I am often with them in their last moments. I could write a BOOK on those stories alone...... And although each story is uniquely different from the next, all of them seem to have a few things in common. Whether someone is a highly educated engineer, school teacher, or scientist - Waitress, garbage man, or stay-at-home mom, no one ever asks to see a copy of their latest bank statement. No one wants to glance once more at a photo of their home, or have one more ride in their expensive car.... They want the people they love to know they are loved. They want to know their children are going to be okay without them, or their wives or their husbands to know they love them. They often want ... View Post
Meet Jessica!
When one veteran meets another veteran, there is always an immediate connection. So Jess and I have been friends since we met a few years ago, and realized we had both served. Army and Air Force veterans - I'd like to tease her that the only time the Air Force members run is when the mess hall opens. But since I'm the "chubby" one, I can't really get away with that..... We had already become friends at work. But one day, we both just happened to be in the same place, at the same time, with the same IMMEDIATE need for prayer. And that day, we chose to lean on each other - a God moment, for sure! By whatever means possible - We were going to make it our personal MISSION to not only stay in close touch every single day, but to be storming heaven together, and for each other, praying ... View Post
The Gift of Life – From a Nurse’s Perspective
I don't know an ICU nurse anywhere who wouldn't agree that we have a rather depressing job. Rewarding? AbsoLUTEly! But being a participant OFTEN, in the delivery of bad news can get to you after a while. Being the person who the family looks to after the blow has been delivered, is difficult work. It just is. And when we can't "fix" the bad news, change the prognosis, or reassure them that the physician was wrong, we often become the "bad guy," and the recipient of their denial, frustration, and at times, even anger. Not always. But often. Most definitely, often! And that's no easy task! So, we cling to each other. We laugh about things most people wouldn't ever talk about, much less understand. And as a great big family of nurses with the broadest possible range of ... View Post
Picking More Daisies
When I finished my last "bucket list" activity for the year, I wondered what to look forward to next. With my oldest son's wedding fast approaching, and my youngest son leaving in 2 weeks to live in Chicago, "what next?" seems to be a common question that comes to mind when I have some peace, quiet, and time to think...... So..... What next? Well, I was thinking about that for a long time this morning. It's August 1st. Everything is happening so, so fast. Another bucket list ? Nah. Pick up another job? Hah. No way. Go back to school? NO THANKS! Start dating? (Rolling on the floor laughing my butt off) So I hit my knees, and brought it to the Lord in prayer. Twenty-one years of single parenting - 365 days a year, 7 days a week, ALL weekends, ALL holidays. (Please know, I ... View Post
Relax! It’s Probably Just a Nurse
A couple of years ago, I shopped for a new car. I knew EXACTLY what I wanted - A white Volkswagon Jetta, 4-door. with NO SUN ROOF! "I HATE sun roofs!" I told the car salesman. But the only one available to purchase the day I set out intending to come home with a new car, had a sun roof, and a few other "extras." I couldn't resist. For weeks I told everyone how much I was enjoying my new car, but how I would NEVER use my sun roof............. Until one particular 12-hour shift, that is. Twelve hours is a long time. It's a long time to be on your feet. It's a long time to be gone from your family. We watch the sun come up on our way into work, and watch it set as we drive home to our families. And OFTEN, A 12-hour nursing shift is a long time to go without eating, or ... View Post
Thank You Letter, From Rory
Here is Rory's thank you "note" he wrote. The funny part about all this, is that I told them they had to write a "note" thanking everyone. So many of you were excited and praying for the kids. They wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote, and then were excited to read them to me. I finally asked "How long ARE these notes?" because I had addressed 26 envelopes to people who had helped them out with prayers, etc. Rory said, "Mine is 7 pages" and Ian said, "Mine is 5." The envelopes were very small and they ended up having to hand deliver many of them. The rest took 3 stamps to mail! Anyhow, I'm so proud of them. And their faith grows leaps and bounds DAILY. Thanks for your prayers. Rory's thank you letter: Dear friends and family, As you know, I went on a mission trip to Bay St. Louis, ... View Post