Seemingly unrelated circumstances
You all may realize that right now I am not in clinicals right now, and haven't been for quite some time now. But today I came across a scenario that I'm sure in my life as a student nurse and a future nurse I will definitely face: death. While I was at the Terrace, we heard report of an elderly resident who passed that myself and two other students cared for for a brief time. Today, I came across the same encounter.
At Berea, when a loved one of a staff member or a former professor passes on, a campus-wide email is sent from the Campus Christian Center titled "Notice of Bereavement." Like most of the other ones, I skim the name and say a small prayer for the family. This time was different. I actually recognized the name as someone I encountered on my first day at the hospital. By law I am not allowed to disclose the name, but I was a bit heart sick. Though I have never seen death before my eyes yet, I am convinced that I will at some point in my life. Yes, granted, it is very painful and saddening; my heart aches for this family. This person was someone's mother, grandmother, friend, what have you. As strange as it seems, death, in my life experience, heals.
In the case of a physical injury, sometimes one needs perhaps a medication, or in my case, a brace or two and seven months of physical therapy. But like how physical therapy or an ankle brace heals a strained tendon, perhaps losing a loved one can change perspective on...well, life in general. Having lost a friend almost 6 years ago changed my perspective. In my case there was a joyful experience out of this loss; my friend's death actually strengthened my faith in Christ. Perhaps through death those who are still on Earth can learn something. Ironically, I'm reading Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven as I write this.
Death is a part of life, yes, but as a thriving 21-year-old, today will be a reminder to count my blessings and all I have to look forward to: starting a new semester at college, leaving to study abroad in Scotland in 5 WEEKS, and enjoying this brief summer time I have left laughing and watching Whose Line is it Anyway with my sister until we are blue in the face and sore in the abs. My hope is that as I continue my clinical adventures that I will not only appreciate each life that I see, but also I will not hide my emotions and expressions about death as so many do. To close, I will share a passage from The Five People You Meet In Heaven:
"You didn't get it. Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to be."
At Berea, when a loved one of a staff member or a former professor passes on, a campus-wide email is sent from the Campus Christian Center titled "Notice of Bereavement." Like most of the other ones, I skim the name and say a small prayer for the family. This time was different. I actually recognized the name as someone I encountered on my first day at the hospital. By law I am not allowed to disclose the name, but I was a bit heart sick. Though I have never seen death before my eyes yet, I am convinced that I will at some point in my life. Yes, granted, it is very painful and saddening; my heart aches for this family. This person was someone's mother, grandmother, friend, what have you. As strange as it seems, death, in my life experience, heals.
In the case of a physical injury, sometimes one needs perhaps a medication, or in my case, a brace or two and seven months of physical therapy. But like how physical therapy or an ankle brace heals a strained tendon, perhaps losing a loved one can change perspective on...well, life in general. Having lost a friend almost 6 years ago changed my perspective. In my case there was a joyful experience out of this loss; my friend's death actually strengthened my faith in Christ. Perhaps through death those who are still on Earth can learn something. Ironically, I'm reading Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven as I write this.
Death is a part of life, yes, but as a thriving 21-year-old, today will be a reminder to count my blessings and all I have to look forward to: starting a new semester at college, leaving to study abroad in Scotland in 5 WEEKS, and enjoying this brief summer time I have left laughing and watching Whose Line is it Anyway with my sister until we are blue in the face and sore in the abs. My hope is that as I continue my clinical adventures that I will not only appreciate each life that I see, but also I will not hide my emotions and expressions about death as so many do. To close, I will share a passage from The Five People You Meet In Heaven:
"You didn't get it. Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to be."
Beautiful writing Kelly, and profound thoughts. I love the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It's so inspirational and life changing.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kelly, so brave and amazing. Thanks for sharing these experiences. I've often wondered what it's like to be in this world, caring for the sick and elderly, making sure you make them as comfortable as possible. It is a gift you give and my hat goes off to you. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteB
Thank you all for the kind words! I'll be creating another blog specifically for my Scotland trip. Stay tuned for that; it'll be coming around the end of June/beginning of July!
ReplyDeleteCheers!