Morning Blessing, or why I am not in bed sleeping..

This morning on my way home from work, I was reminded what an amazingly beautiful place I live. Since I had no camera ready to capture the beautiful scene, I thought I would paint a “word picture”. The snow was falling, and in the neighborhood, the streets were covered with an undisturbed white blanket. It reminded me of first tracks on a great powder day skiing. As I was driving along, listening to a beautiful classical piece on the radio, a fox ran across the road a block ahead of me. As the first fox was darting into a drainage ditch, a second fox scampered after. I slowly drove by the culvert and the two foxes watched me go. Ahead of me, the only disruption was a pair of fox tracks intersecting the white expanse.

It would be difficult to describe exactly how I felt, but I will make an attempt. I have been thinking a long time about my new career and how, for me, it is more of a calling. As a new nurse in an emergency department at a pediatric hospital, I find myself asking for a blessing on my hands and my mind that I might provide comfort and healing to my patients and their families. Day after day (or rather, night after night) I see a wide variety of patients with an equally wide variety of backgrounds and conditions. From the common cold (which does not really belong in the emergency department, but that is a whole other blog) to a child who has little if any chance of a meaningful life after a devastating accident or even worse, non-accidental trauma at the hands of their parent or care-giver. Every night, there is something new to learn. Another life lesson, another Spanish phrase, another “skill” ticked off of my training list. I am constantly in a state of awareness that keeps me on my toes, waiting for an unexpected twist, and a bit nervous, hoping I will find myself “up to the task”.

So, for me this morning, the pair of foxes was my blessing. Whatever higher power or sense of spirituality you find in your life, whether it go by God, Jesus, or another name, that “force” made itself felt to me in a powerful way which has left me feeling renewed. The quiet stillness of a snowy morning, with wildlife in a city full of wildness, refreshed my well of peace. Maybe this is what the Psalmist meant when he said “my cup overflows”. Actually, for a new take on the whole 23rd Psalm reread it with the scene described above. Renewal. Does working in a major pediatric trauma center count as walking through the valley of the shadow of death?

For those of you reading this who would like to know more about my first year as a nurse, keep reading. I will try to keep this up with an entry a week. No promises mind you. Writing is such a nice outlet for the frustrations and joys (no pun intended) of life and it helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings. If it also touches or entertains you, then by all means, enjoy!