Years Ago, Before Nursing School

I grew up loving to read.  As much as I loved "Nancy Drew" books, and aspired to be capable as she was, I voraciously read "Sue Barton, Student Nurse" and "Cherry Ames, Student Nurse" books.  My course was set.  I would be a nurse. 

Oh, how I wanted to be like the nurses in the books, my starched white uniform swishing as I walked purposefully to and from patient care, my heart full!

And nursing was, indeed, a joyous, romantic, incredible experience, as I practiced for about 10 years, the last four while in dental school.

On the first day of dental school at the University of Kentucky, I remember asking God to let me live long enough to become a dentist and be able to provide dental care to patients.  I couldn’t wait.  Again, heart full.

Interspersed were the days of difficulties, doing dental procedures for the first time - or even the 20th time - and being scared, worried, unsure, just like in nursing. 

And there were the days when I was overwhelmed with what I “had to do.”  Somethings I wished I didn’t “have to do.”  Just like in nursing, in raising children, in life.

Yet, how many people would so love to have the opportunity to do what I’ve gotten to do?  How many would be so thrilled to be a dentist, to be a nurse?

“Replace the phrase ‘I have to’ with ‘I get to’ whenever you catch yourself starting to complain. So many activities we complain about are things others wish they had the chance to do."
    ~ Marc & Angel

In your gratitude for your life, thank God for the opportunities!

In gratitude for you and the opportunity to share with you,

Nursing school class graduation photo. Dr Chris is back row, second from the left.

Dr Chris Baker as a teenaged candy striper back in her hometown of Houston.

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