*(Written 12/21/2015)
As winter creeps up on us day by day (although so, so
slowly), those sunny, blue skies slip away faster and faster, as do our
daylight hours. I think Milwaukee is down to an average of 8ish “daylight”
hours each day, but that does not imply sunny
daylight. It’s basically saying, “the sun should rise at this time and set at
this time, but you may not actually see it.”
As with most of my blog posts, I am currently 30,000 feet in
the air taking a quick escape from Earth. Flying became somewhat regular to me
when I began college and moved hundreds of miles from home. Then I moved to
Wisconsin which is just a few more hundred; it can be a road trip away, but only with a commitment. Anyway, flying
gives me the escape from reality I need that leads to some of my greatest reflection
and insight (at least I think so). I severely struggle at shutting down my mind
and reflecting on those average-Joe-just-want-to-sleep days. The distractions,
commitments, priorities (out-of-line, might I add), and noise often take my
attention away from the important things in life: joy, laughter, smiles, peace,
community, conversation, etc. etc. etc. I like to be busy, I thrive being busy (a productive nurse is always doing something!).
But it certainly does catch up to me, which is where flying comes in handy.
With these gray days that we’re beginning to experience, I
always love escaping in a plane to the land above the clouds. The land where
the sky is notoriously blue and the sun is shining regardless of the weather
30,000 feet below. The place where clouds look like the coziest lovesacs where
I long to relax. A place where children marvel from inside the plane's windows at the
Earth below and where people and their things are tiny little specs, if even
that. I love reflecting at how small we really are even when, some days, we
feel so big, so mighty, so powerful. Although there are definitely days where
we feel small, worthless, shameful, and mini, maybe even a spec of dirt on the
Earth. Flying above the clouds reminds me how close I am to the Earth’s light
source, but furthermore, how close I always am to the True Light. To Jesus.
This season has been somewhat the unraveling of a new season
of my life. Although I have no clue what that may be, I know it definitely
involves some sort of change. I think for the first time in my entire life, I
do not have a concrete plan (HA!) or a place I have to be. I like to see change as wonderful and healthy, a chance
to grow. But sometimes change is so inconvenient, so expensive, such a
commitment. Last week was a special milestone for my classmates and myself. As we
wrapped up our nursing program at Marquette, we got to briefly marvel in one
another’s new plans. Very bittersweet conversations nonetheless, as we have already
begun branching off to our reach our next goals. Though we were able to celebrate the completion of nursing school
together, it is important to keep in mind that the real celebration focuses on
what awaits us in the coming year and those that follow. And the real
triumph more than anything? We have the skills and knowledge to help us adapt
to beginning a new era of our lives. After learning, living, and rejoicing
alongside my classmates at Marquette, I am confident that we are all ready for
those first few steps. We can watch each other’s dreams unfold. Talk of
travel. More education. Whatever it may be, we get to embrace the success of
one another and that is something special. At last! We are free.
As we stood there
on the graduation stage peering over the edge to the new phase of our lives, we
were able to reflect back on the integrity that got us to that moment—the moral
uprightness and strong principles we had developed. That accomplishment is
worth more than excelling in a sport, success in the workplace, or even the
satisfaction we were feeling then, as we danced across this stage, because
without integrity, no such accomplishments have significance. I
delightfully look forward to seeing that integrity play out in our nursing
practices, with all our patients, with their families, and with all of our
colleagues. I am so thrilled to have shared this milestone with so many
wonderful people!
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| Yay!! |
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| My Peruvian buddies!! |
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| My rockin' roomies! Couldn't have done it without them. |
This Christmas season, I am thankful for our great God whom
I so poorly serve. I am thankful that He continues to bless me regardless of my
transgressions or how much attention I give Him. I am thankful for my dear
friends—that means you!—for loving me
always and for accepting me even when you don’t want to, or when you disagree
with my actions. I am seriously so
ridiculously blessed by all of my family-ships and friendships; so blessed that
I often lose sight of that in the midst of chaos. I like to be busy—I thrive being busy, remember?—but I also
run out of gas quickly. Above the clouds is such a wonder, a wondrous time for
me to fill my lungs to completion and reflect on all the wonder that happens
everyday. Thanks for joining me! I pray this holiday season finds you blessed
and warm. I pray you fill up with laughter and joy as you spend the days with
those you love and those who love you. I pray you are able to use your eyes to
find the good in one another, in your patients (for nurses/healthcare
professionals), and in Jesus. I pray you put your healing hands to work, that
your healing power will touch those you care for and any patients who need you.
I pray you follow your caring hearts, for when our hands and eyes become weary,
our hearts will still be there to guide us peacefully. And finally, thank you,
Lord for the support You’ve given us to get to this moment and for the
encouragement to make it through our challenges. We thank You for all our
success and future endeavors. Amen.
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