Well, I've been debating starting one of these for a while now, and fingers crossed that I keep up with it. I don't look at myself as a writer (that's Molly) but I figured it would be something fun and a new way to challenge myself. Here, my goal is to examine my everyday life, pull out the worthwhile, unique, amazing, ordinary triumphs and ridiculous moments, and share them. Some days, it still takes me a moment to realize that I am done with college and REAL life has begun to settle in. But hello and welcome to my post-college, figuring-out-the-real-world life as a new graduate nurse. It has already been an exciting ride. And every day is something new, especially working at night.
Currently, I'm still feeling the exhaustion of working all of thanksgiving weekend. Three nights straight, with an extra long shift Sunday night wore me out. Working on an oncology unit, we see patient's from ages 20 to 95+. This wide age range leaves me coming into work each evening not knowing what to expect. Sunday Night/Monday morning was no exception. I was graced with a Polish woman in her late 70's as one of my patient's. And when I say Polish, I mean REALLY Polish. English was her SECOND language (she rolled her eyes at me no less than twice during the shift). Her and her family were loud and she was extremely stubborn (hmm…I wonder why that sounds familiar… my family?...). Well, this stubborn lady decided to try to get up on her own (which she hasn't done EVER during her 5 days with us) to go to the bathroom. Was she successful? No. Did she fall? Yes. Did she even care that she fell? No. She said she landed softly on her bottom and she was fine (which doesn't really cut it in the hospital, falls are serious business here). Did she scare the crap out of me? Most definitely. Needless to say, this happening at 5:30am, when my shift was done at 7:30 and I had 5 other patient's, it set me back a little, with the patient's attitude towards the situation eating away at my last nerve. Through the longest shift of my life (wish I was kidding - got home at 10am), I just found a few things interesting.
1. This patient made me laugh, in the midst of everything, because the way she was SO stubborn in her was a flash back to my Grandpa Schab (He was Polish too - Ironic?), who we literally couldn't convince to do anything he didn't want to do and was very blunt with words - as was this woman.
2. It made me very grateful for the people working on my floor. They helped me so much during that shift and saved me from being even more overwhelmed than I already was.
3. Once again, it showed that though as well as I might plan out the night, things don't always go that way. Reiterating know fact of how one decision can dramatically change a situation and sometimes, we just have to go with it, do the best we can, and the hope everything will turn out ok.
And #3 is kind of how I've been approaching life lately. Trying to live in each moment I get to spend with the people I love. Leaning on God when things don't seem to go the way I had hoped, and thanking Him for the people that help hold me up when life's challenges are trying to pull me down. A year ago, I pictured my life to be a little different that what it is now, but that is ok. I love this life I've been blessed with. My challenge is to grow in God each day, and remember that I am part of God's plan, a plan more glorious than can be imagined. Giving everything to God and trusting Him. For He knows my heart much better than I do. And blesses me before I realize.
Oh and I try to remember saying too (one of the many things I've found on Pinterest):
"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way"
God is always working, always speaking, always loving. He's always working to make things good. A reminder that I tell myself daily.
And now it's time to go back into real life - time for a run and to get ready for work. At least it's sunny out (even though I was hoping for some snow...).
Happy Wednesday. :)
