Hi Everyone, So many of you prayed for my kids while they were in Mississippi, and all of our prayers were answered. I asked the kids to write a thank you NOTE, and they both wrote very lengthy letters, because neither of them was able to express their experiences in any way shorter than this. I'm sooo proud of them, and so happy for them. Their faith inspires me EVERY DAY. They hand-wrote their notes, which I have tucked away for keepsakes. Here is the typed version: LETTER FROM IAN: Dear Friends and Family, I give you great thanks for all the prayers and money you donated to my brother and I to go to Mississippi. We went on this trip knowing only 5 or 6 people and as we arrive home, I can say that I am friends with everyone that went down there and even made a few best friends. It was ... View Post
“Well, Here I Am!”
I sat on a bench at Metro Park today enjoying watching people race by on their Ski-Doo's, in their yachts and sail boats..... I watched young couples walk their puppies, older couples still holding hands, and even watched a young man stand still on a skate board while his pit bull took HIM for a "walk." And across the water on the other side I could see Canada, which of course, always reminds me of Dad. But today was an extra clear day, and I could also see the Renaissance Center in Detroit sooo very clearly. You know what that reminded me of? Nothing...... Until today. Today it reminded me of my trip to see the recruiter who would promise me that I would love being stationed in Panama. It reminded me of never wanting to live in Michigan again, because I really. Hated. Snow. ... View Post
A Backache Worth Having
Just a few random thoughts after two difficult days at work........... My feet hurt. I got them tangled in all of my IV lines several times today, almost fell on my rear end in the process. Spilled a bunch of Ativan on the floor, walked through it, and now my shoes are all sticky. Had so much equipment in my room that just to titrate my drips, I couldn't help but silently remember and laugh about the old game of "twister." Helped two families cope with accepting the probability of the death of someone they have loved for more years than I have been alive. Diffused an argument between two sisters over a difficult decision. Text paged a doc so many times I got a little worried he might want to choke me. High-fived a resident and got him a box of chocolates for convincing someone that ... View Post
From Trash to Treasure
Meet my son, Rory, and his fiance, Holly. (I know, they're adorable, right?) Okay, now see that unidentifiable piece of furniture next to them in the photo? That is something they picked up at a yard sale recently. (They told us it was a desk). College students on a tight budget and a limited income, their source of entertainment lately (aside from planning their wedding this fall)? Estate sale shopping! Oh, but this story is NOT about them. It's about ALL of us. Yup - You, me, and them too... That's right - ALL of us. A couple of weeks ago, they dragged that thing out of Holly's garage. And they began stripping off the old finish. One night Rory told me that he didn't think it was EVER going to come off - He said it was just in too bad of shape. (I promised him it ... View Post
When A Nurse Says Goodbye
Just the other day, I was asked, "How do you sleep at night?" by the friend of a patient who was dying. But I was not asked nicely. I was asked very sarcastically because I was one of the participants in the bearer of bad news. "There is nothing else we can do. Your loved one is going to die." Nurses don't enjoy being the bad guy. And we don't enjoy having to agree with the bad news just given to the loved ones of those dying. The truth is, every one of us would love nothing more than to see you get that miracle you are praying for. But we would rather be the bearers of bad news that the encouragers of false hopes. Twelve-hour shifts - Often several of them in a row, with breaks only long enough for a drive home, a shower, and a "nap" before returning to care for very sick ... View Post
Saluting Our Heros!
The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Dad earned his United States citizenship while serving in the Army during the Korean War. That makes me a 1st generation American. I also spent 10 years in the US Army. So the 4th of July means freedom to me - not just BBQ's and fireworks. But 10 years ago this July, Dad passed away. Yesterday, recalling some fond memories with my Mom, we both agreed that the past 10 years has flown by. Yet, it seems like so long since we got to see Dad. The 4th of July is bittersweet for me now. Time has a way of doing that.... The older we get, every holiday has more meanings to it. Every relationship does too. What used to seem like big things, seem to mean so little. And the little things in life tend to mean much ... View Post
Lacing Up My Combat Boots
When I was young, trying new and exciting things was fun for me. That's why joining the Army at age 18 was not a surprise to anyone who knew me. I wanted to see the world, and see the world I did! There were no wars going on when I served. My job? Always administrative support to different kinds of units, most often of which were military police. And in some of those units, that meant taking my administrative skills out to the field. It meant carrying an M16 while lugging my typewriter and files out to my tent. It meant knowing how to don a gas mask in seconds if need be. You see, regardless of what "job title" anyone enlists in, there are some very basic combat skills ALL soldiers must have. Because regardless of the particular area of expertise (finance, accounting, medic, ... View Post
My Dad – “Peter Little Allan”
It's the day after Father's Day, and the bright sun beaming down on my face through the window woke me up. I wanted to write about Dad this morning, and all of the reasons why he was the best, but I wanted to sleep in and do it a little later in the day! But I'm reminded...... My dad never slept in. Never. He worked until he was in his mid 70's, despite having a blood disease that for most of my life tried to kill him. He never missed a day of work even though there were times when he could hardly walk. When he was very, very sick, and he was home unable to work for months, I don't recall him EVER complaining, except if someone bumped his sore foot. Then, he would yell out in pain, and forgive whoever bumped him. Even while dad was going through chemotherapy for his cancer, every ... View Post