Wow, the last month has been a little…weird. I left the big white ship on February 14th and was able to spend a few days with my aunt, Enid before she passed away on February 19th. After that, my mom and I were busy taking care of Enid’s affairs, planning her memorial service and of course, grieving. Then on March 19th I left for Guinea, arriving to the ship on the 21st. The next day I started work again on A Ward and couldn’t be happier to be back. Now that you’ve gotten the brief overview of my crazy life- I’ll grace you with some philosophical, somewhat jet-lagged thoughts about "quotes" that have applied to my life lately.
Home is where the heart is. I am so glad I could go home to Wisconsin in February because at that time my heart was completely with my family. I don’t think I could possibly have been productive and useful here onboard, with a huge chunk of me in the States. After a few weeks in Wisconsin, my thoughts started drifting toward this wonderful place, the patients, my lovely friends and the incredible work being done in Guinea. When I arrived back on the ship, it was so fitting to find this sign on my cabin door!
Life is a journey, not a destination. Before leaving for Africa, I asked God to challenge me and change me through my experience in Guinea. I never thought that I would be taking a detour back home during this time in my life, but God is faithful. I have learned a lot about myself, about grieving, coping and life. Many people know that I love to plan, but I think in this journey called life, God is breaking me of being a planner and teaching me to be flexible.
Friends are the family you choose. Gosh I love this saying, it’s one of those classic pinterest quotes that makes me smile every time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my biological, blood relatives. However, I also love many of my friends like they are family. In addition to our family, my mom’s friends and my friends absolutely covered us in love and kindness after Enid’s death. While I was home, my mom and I were able to spend a little time with two of Enid’s best friends, Kathy and Dawn. They were so welcoming and caring. They each knew my dear aunt in a way that I will never know, as a close friend. It was so nice to hear stories about Kathy’s childhood memories and Dawn’s college memories of Enid. If friends are the family you choose, then Enid definitely chose wisely.
TIA (This is Africa). My friend and cabin mate, Shelby, introduced me to this useful saying when we traveled to Coyah, on a weekend trip in February. TIA can be used when one realizes that toilet paper isn’t always complimentary with a hotel stay or when your cab driver decides to go the wrong way on the highway. It can also be used when one is proud of the price they’ve negotiated at the market for something, and then immediately runs into a friend only to find out they got the same item for half the price! I love this multipurpose saying because it's a good reminder that my first world expectations aren’t necessarily the ‘right way’ of doing things. TIA can also be a way to appreciate the beauty of a different culture. For example, it’s not uncommon, at meal times on the ward, for patients to ask when you, the nurse, will be eating. The African patients have a genuine sense of hospitality, which makes me smile and say “This is Africa!”
I am currently working a string of night shifts- the first in over a year! It's actually busy- 10 patients for each nurse, but I am loving every moment.
Sending lots of love and hugs to all of my friends and family! You guys are amazing.
Sending lots of love and hugs to all of my friends and family! You guys are amazing.
It goes without saying that I'm jealous of this whole adventure, but now I'm also jealous that you haven't worked nights in over a year! Love reading these updates!
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