I stinking graduated. That's right- graduated. And, it feels weird. I am officially not a student for the moment and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. To be real, between the tornado relief efforts, NCLEX prep and running/sleeping/eating...I haven't had my time to just reflect on no more school.
The tornado on April 27th, impacted everyone I know..in some shape or form. I have friends that are currently homeless, patients that can't find their parents, friends that are just distraught and then those that are just in a prayerful state for those that were physically affected. Growing up in the south, I think tornadoes were just a normal fear for the month of april/may. I can remember hiding in the basement when I was tiny and praying that nobody I cared about was hurt. PLUS- my mom never took them seriously, so on that day of the recent tornado, when she literally blew my phone up, I thought she was kidding. I've spent some time in both Tuscaloosa and Pratt City doing little things for whoever needed it. In a way, I'm so thankful that I am in a position that I can go and just see what truly happened, it has had a way of reminding me what is actually important. It's made me so much more appreciative of the people in my life and humbled me in ways that I wasn't really prepared for.
So, yeah- I graduated. But, I learned more from spending time with my closest friends and victims in these affected areas then I ever did in nursing school.I encourage anyone who hasn't "had the time to physically help" to do so. Life does go on, but at the moment, these people's lives have been rocked. Life for them is chaotic and terrifying. As excited I was to graduate and move my tassle to the left, I still thought about my friends in Tuscaloosa that didn't get to graduate like they've dreamed of- and while I was eating dinner and having that celebration cocktail- they may have been digging through their neighbors home remains and getting their hands a little dirty. Life is funny that way- it humbles you when you least expect it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Speechless
So much has happened recently. Tornado swept through and basically destroyed Alabama, supposivley Osama is dead, and oh yeah, I am officially finished with nursing school. Whew.
I spent last Saturday with some of my closet friends in the city of Tuscaloosa. Although I say War Damn Eagle every chance I get, my heart went out to that place. There was absolute devastation everywhere. Throughout the day, we just did random things and helped whoever needed it. It was an eye opening experience. One that I will never forget.
After the exhaustion wore off, I had time to just think and pray for all that I had seen thus far in the relief effort. I realized what an amazing time it is to be a nurse. Nurses are given opportunites to help and relate to others- that a lot of people aren't trained to do. I felt so blessed that this was my field and career choice. The Dalai Lama says it like this, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." If I learned anything through this difficult time, it is just simply to love. In the news, it's all "looting here" and "gangs here"- just awful crap they are doing in such a vulnerable time. But there is good there as well- complete strangers helping out people and lending fresh legs to move tree limbs and dig through the remains of someone's home. It was a moving thing to see. All in all, I'm thankful. My best friend is from Pleasant Grove and was impacted greatly. I'm so blessed to have her in my life and so grateful none of her family was injured.
I spent last Saturday with some of my closet friends in the city of Tuscaloosa. Although I say War Damn Eagle every chance I get, my heart went out to that place. There was absolute devastation everywhere. Throughout the day, we just did random things and helped whoever needed it. It was an eye opening experience. One that I will never forget.
After the exhaustion wore off, I had time to just think and pray for all that I had seen thus far in the relief effort. I realized what an amazing time it is to be a nurse. Nurses are given opportunites to help and relate to others- that a lot of people aren't trained to do. I felt so blessed that this was my field and career choice. The Dalai Lama says it like this, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." If I learned anything through this difficult time, it is just simply to love. In the news, it's all "looting here" and "gangs here"- just awful crap they are doing in such a vulnerable time. But there is good there as well- complete strangers helping out people and lending fresh legs to move tree limbs and dig through the remains of someone's home. It was a moving thing to see. All in all, I'm thankful. My best friend is from Pleasant Grove and was impacted greatly. I'm so blessed to have her in my life and so grateful none of her family was injured.
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