Monday, October 30, 2017

Everyone has a Story.....


Everyone has a story.
Every person you meet, whether in the grocery store, the mall, in the hallway at work, at the bank, the beauty shop, your customers, clients, or patients, all have stories.
I’ll be honest, Nurses, well, medical professionals as a whole, are notorious for forgetting about those stories.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not on purpose, or because we don’t care.
Sometimes, we’re busy. Like, really, really don’t eat, don’t sit down, pray you haven’t forgotten anything, don’t pee for a whole 12 hours busy.
There are times I think we get so focused on the problem(s) at hand and take care of that problem and nothing else. Kinda like, we get tunnel vision.
Other times, I think it’s a defense mechanism. If we stick with treating the problem at hand, there will be no emotional attachments formed.
Trust me when I say, there is no disrespect intended when a Patient is referred to as the Gallbladder in 820 or the Hip in 827.
I’ve done it hundreds of times myself over the last 21 years of Nursing.
However, I was recently reminded, every person has a story.
Every. Person. Has. A. Story.
It was beautiful outside.
I showed up for my 12-hour shift.
I was feeling all good about myself.
My uniform was on point, complete with my Danskos and cute matching socks.
I remember mumbling something like, “God, you know who I'm supposed to have today,” as I was clocking in.
I arrived on the Unit and was given my Patient assignment. Didn’t sound too bad other than one “hard” Patient.
I’ve got this, I thought, as the ponytail I had spent so much time on that morning swung back and forth.
I went and met my “easy” Patients first.
Just as I suspected, they would, most likely, be a breeze.
I then headed to meet my “hard” Patient.
I knew from the report he was in his 80s, had recently been diagnosed with cancer, had a Trach, was sometimes difficult to understand and had Feeding Tube, which I won’t lie, I all dreaded.
***I probably should insert a disclaimer here and tell you that I am totally honest with my thoughts and feelings. That is the purpose of my Blog. You may not agree with them, or like them, but that is ok, because, again, this is my Blog. If you want to express your own thoughts and feelings, do it on your personal Blog.***
***Oh, 2nd disclaimer, all you Medical Professionals reading this, don’t get all self-righteous on me and try to act like you have never dreaded dealing with something. Really, that could apply to any profession. If you say you haven’t, my response to that would be, lie again…..***
Now, where were we?
Oh yeah, the dreaded part.
I knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.
My “hard” patient, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, was sitting up on the side of the bed smiling, anxiously awaiting my arrival.
He knew 7am meant shift change, and he would be getting a new Nurse.
While I was busy, doing all of my dreading, this precious man with cancer, and a Trach, and a feeding tube had gotten up, and bathed and dressed in anticipation of meeting me, his Nurse for the day.
Talk about guilt and INSTANTLY being convicted by the Holy Spirit.
That was me.
I felt about 2, maybe 1 1/2 inches tall.
This gentle, sweet soul didn’t care that my uniform was pressed, that my ponytail was perfect, that I had on cute socks, or that I actually wore makeup.
I introduced myself, and he invited me in and asked me about me.
He wanted to know about my family, my kids, if I went to church, my hobbies.
I answered him briefly, but laughed, and told him I was there to find out about him.
He then said the words, “Everyone has a story, I want to hear yours.”
So, I sat down in the chair beside his bed and started from the beginning…..
I told him where I was born, where I grew up, how I asked Jesus into my heart at 7 years old during Vacation Bible School, that I loved to sing and sang in a Southern Gospel Group for several years, and now with the Praise Team at my church, where I went to school, all about my Husband, how long we’ve been married, about my 2.5 children, why I became a Nurse, about my Daddy having AML and being in remission and about my Mother being the Godly example she is and some of the struggles she has and is facing. I shared my Faith in God, and how I believed nothing happens by chance or accident and that I didn’t believe in luck. I also told him I knew it was God’s plan for me to meet him and have him as my Patient.
He grinned, almost like that, I know something you don’t know, grin.
He told me he had been praying for me way before that day.
He said he knew his diagnosis and his prognosis, and felt, instead of focusing on what is wrong in his life, he should turn his attention to the people God places in his path because everyone has a story.
I asked him his story, and he told me.
It was nothing like the one I had pictured and had already made up in my mind.
There was nothing hard about taking care of him that day.
It was an honor to be his Nurse and provide care that he couldn’t do for himself.
Before his tube feeding, which was his only source of nutrition, he asked that we give thanks to God for his meal.
He also gave thanks for every pain pill, and every drop of water administered.
At 7pm, when my shift was over, I went to tell him not bye, but see you later.
He hugged me and cried as he thanked God for me and said he would never stop praying for me.
I cried, too, but it was way more of an ugly cry, and thanked God for him, and told him I would never stop praying for him.
I was his Nurse for 12 hours, but, way beyond those 12 hours, he helped me so much more than anything I could have done to help him.
See, everyone has a story.
We just have to be willing to take the time and listen.


Love you all!

~Gracie

Sunday, January 31, 2016

It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later.....


My Husband's first love, my children's second Mother, Haley's cheerleader and biggest fan, Kylee's best friend and confidant, Ginger's source of advice and wisdom, Hayden's protector and nurturer, my mentor, friend, and Mother-In-Law, the Proverbs 31 Woman I was blessed to share my home, countless laughs, tears, and a lifetime of memories with for 27 years went to sleep last night and woke up where she had so longed to be, with Jesus. At 88, she lived a full, beautiful life. No doubt, our hearts are completely broken, but we rejoice knowing she is with Him and whole. 💔


Love you MUCH,



Sunday, November 15, 2015

Proverbs 31 Woman.....

Let me kinda apologize for the long post. By kinda, I mean, I am kinda sorry, but then again, it is what it is, so, I'm really not sorry. 

As some of you may know, my Mother-in-Law has lived with us for all 27 years of our married life. 

She is, without a doubt, the true definition of a Proverbs 31 Woman.

She is an amazing, Godly woman, who has a servant's heart and loves others like Jesus. 

Well, loves others, except Alabama Football and its fans. If you fall into either of those categories, you may be out of luck. 

Just kidding, kinda. 

She is a die hard Auburn fan, who thinks the replays are still live play and celebrates the good and gets mad at the bad ones over and over, for as long as the network keeps replaying them. 

There's nothing bad that can be said about her and, in all these years, we've only had one cross word. 

One. 

And, I remember it like it was yesterday. 

That was 24 years ago. 

I was a brand new Mom who didn't know crap, but thought I knew it all, because I'd read all the books and been to all the different classes. I wanted, and really expected everything to be done by the books. 

Anyway, Haley was about 2 months old and had what seemed to be her 100th ear infection. 

Mawmaw, having raised 4 kids plus having numerous other grandchildren at the time, wanted to put some warm sweet oil in Haley's ear to ease her incessant pain and crying. I almost had a coronary at the mere suggestion. 

You Moms know how it is with the firstborn. By the time the 2nd, 3rd or 4th come along, you're just like, just do whatever you wanna do, I don't care what it is, I'm good with it. 

She didn't put the oil in Haley's ear that night, nor, did she ever suggest it or anything else ever again 

She didn't fuss, fight, carry on or even judge me over it. She simply let me be the Mother and went on about her way and minded her own business, though, I'm sure she was thinking to herself, what an idiot! 

When Kylee was born, 5 years later, she quit working and stayed at home to help me. She and Kylee became close, very close and now, at 19, Kylee is very quick to tell you, she and her MawMaw are best friends. 

Mawmaw is now 88. Her health is failing and, to be honest, she's tired. She still gets around pretty good, with the use of a cane, but has started to have some bouts of confusion. 

After much prayer and consideration, it was decided the best and safest thing would be for her to move into an assisted living facility. 

I'll just tell you, it's been hard. 

Move in day was just awful. 

It felt just like when we drove away from Auburn after leaving Haley. 

Your head knows it's the right thing to do, but your heart aches. 

We have had some that don't agree with our decision, even though it's none of their business. 

If they would quit being selfish and think about her and her safety, they would support it 100%. 

It has not been easy on any of her children, their spouses, or her grandchildren, especially my girls, who have grown up with their Mawmaw in the house every single day of their lives. 

Being a grown-up is hard sometimes and having to parent your parent is hard, too. 

Somehow, life doesn't prepare you for that role but I'm thankful that His Grace is sufficient, His Mercies are new every morning, and He will not waste the brokenness. 

Love you MUCH!

=],
Gracie 




Sunday, October 18, 2015

Happy Sunday, Y'all.....

So, I was sitting on the couch earlier on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, watching a documentary on the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing. It was a great documentary, by the way. 

The Hubby was outside, on the back patio, cooking an enormous amount of bacon for our bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. They were also great, by the way. 




Haley is in North Carolina for the weekend, but Hayden and Kylee were both in the house, waiting on lunch to be finished. 

Something outside caught my eye. 

I look up and see a stranger in our front yard, heading toward our house.

Stranger. Danger. 

I say, "Who is that in our yard?," as I'm moving, quickly, upstairs to get my beloved Smith & Wesson. 

I must throw in here that I don't care what your political views on gun control are. 

The only view I have, right this minute, is there's a stranger in my front yard, moving toward our house. 

I have a Bodyguard. I know how to use it and I'm not afraid to use it. 

The guy, as I'm coming downstairs, has hopped on Hayden's bicycle and is riding away. 

Hayden, 9, starts yelling, "He's on my bike. That dude has my bike!"

Kylee and Hayden and I go outside and Kylee yells at the guy to stop. 

He immediately stops and comes back toward the house, walking the bike, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

I ask him what is he doing, to which he replies, his girlfriend/wife is at the hospital having a baby and he's trying to get there. 

So, you steal a 9 year-olds bike?

He says, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I'm just trying to get there."

At this point, the Hubby comes around the corner of the house, and says, "You know that's stealing, right?" 

The guy, which you can tell is really young, says, "Yes Sir, I know, I'm so sorry."

Long story short, he's a 19 year-old kid, who was working on a house in the next neighborhood. 

He gets word somehow that his wife/girlfriend is about to have a baby, his first baby, and he has no way to get there. 

He, initially, starts out on foot heading to the hospital, which is about a 15 minute drive by car, passes our house, sees the bike, and knows it will get him to his firstborn sooner than walking will. 

So, in a moment of desperation, he takes the bike. 

He's standing in front of us with that deer in the headlight look. 

I'm no thief, but, if I'm in the same type situation, and say, my kids are at the hospital and I have no car or anybody that can get me there, I might do the same thing.  

Well, I may as well take the "might" out of it. 

I would do the same thing. 

I'm standing there, gun in hand, debating what's gonna happen next. 

Hubby hands the bacon off to me and loads the kid up and drives him to the hospital. 

On the way, the Hubby finds out his name, life story, and lectures him on how fortunate he is because he could have ended up in jail or even worse, dead. 

He also scheduled a job interview with him on Friday. 

Yep, you read it right. 

He's coming Friday. 

I joked and told Haley not to worry, he'll probably be at Thanksgiving Dinner and she can meet him then. 

However, since it all happened, I've wondered if he's met his son or daughter yet? 

Is the baby ok?

Is Mom ok?

How will they get home?

See, life can change in an instant, but you can also change a life in an instant. 

Hopefully, today, this kid's life has been changed for the better. 

Hopefully, he realizes the error of his way and won't make the same mistake again. 

My life has changed too, knowing it could have been me on the other end of the bicycle. 

On a much less serious note, it's made me realize even more that my family needs a reality show, because, as I say all the time, you CAN NOT make this stuff up. 

I will keep you posted on the interview and let you know how it all works out. 

Happy Sunday, y'all! 

I hope yours has been calmer than ours. 

Love you MUCH!


=],
Gracie. 





  






Sunday, October 11, 2015

The Wasp Nest.....

My happy place..... 

My piece of heaven on earth.....

My get away from the world spot.....

My favorite place to be.....

The Wasp Nest





Happy Sunday!

Love you MUCH! 


=],
Gracie 

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Happy Fall, Y'all.....

It's been a while. 


5 months, to be exact. 

In that time, we've said both Hello and Goodbye to Summer, and Hello to Fall.  

It's been a great Summer and, to be honest, I'm sad it's gone. 

Don't get me wrong, I love Fall and all that it brings. 

Sweatshirts, hot chocolate, football, especially, Auburn football, jeans, boots, crisp air, pumpkins, mums, beautiful leaves, and my most favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. 

Yep, I love it all.  

But, I will miss our river family, the boat rides, jet skiing, swimming, the dance parties, and the long Summer nights that turned into mornings.

It's funny how you can spend 6-7 months of the year with a group of people and actually, become closer to them than the people you are related to. 

If you think about it, some people don't have family period and we've been blessed with family all around us, related and unrelated. 

For that, I am thankful. 

I hope you have a wonderful fall Saturday and spend it doing what you love, with the people you love.

We are spending ours at The Wasp Nest watching LSU vs South Carolina, and later Arkansas vs Bama. 

War Eagle! 

It really doesn't get much better than this. 




Happy Saturday and Happy Fall, Y'all! 


Love you MUCH!


=],

Gracie 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day.....

I do realize, even though Mother's Day brings me joy, it is a painful reminder to some of what can't be, what was, or what is missing from their lives. 

I remember, all too well, all the Mother's Days I spent trying, without success, to get pregnant.

It hurt. 


Deeply. 


I am blessed to still have my Mom. 


She is the strongest woman I know. 


I can honestly say, there has 
never been a time she didn't put me first. 


If I couldn't go somewhere, she 
suddenly didn't want to go anymore. 


If there was only one piece of pie, 
magically, she wasn't hungry anymore.


Funny how that works, isn't it?


Through her example, I learned 
what being a Mom was all about. 


I now understand the sleepless nights, 
pacing the floors, and worrying over, 
what seemed to me at the time, nothing. 


I understand the relief hearing the car pull in the driveway brings. 

I understand loving another person 
more than you love yourself, and being 
willing to take on the devil himself for them. 


I understand how your heart can 
literally beat inside another's chest.


I understand unconditional love, and love beyond measure.


I understand love so deep you 
would be willing to lay down your own life. 


I understand praying to take pain and 
sickness away, and being willing to take it yourself. 


I love you, Mom. 


There aren't enough words in the 
English language to describe what you mean to me. 


I know now there were hard days 
and hard times, yet, you never let me know it. 


You taught me so many things 
about life and about being a woman. 


Not only did you teach me there were real life Princesses, you taught me it was ok to be one myself. 

You taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. 


You taught me I could be anything I wanted to be and what I always wanted to be was you. 

You taught me to love passionately and forgive freely, though, I'm still working on the forgiving freely part. 

You taught me the importance of Family. 


You taught me to hug, and not be afraid of human touch. 


You taught me to say, "I love you" 
and just how important those words really are.


You taught me the value of hard work, and a good name. 


You taught me to be a Leader and not a follower. 


You taught me plain talk is easily understood. 


You taught me to speak my mind and that my opinion is valuable. 


You taught me responsibility and accountability.


You taught me how important it is to keep your word. 


You taught me to laugh and enjoy life. 


You taught me it was ok to cry. 


You taught me to adapt to change. 


You taught me to take chances. 


You taught me it was ok to fail. 


You taught me it felt great to win.


You taught me how to lose with grace and dignity. 


You taught me beauty is on the inside. 


You taught me to be nice to others. 


You taught me to give of myself.


You taught me to stand up for what 
I believe in, even if it means standing alone. 


Above all, you taught me about Jesus and His Love. 


You taught me He has a plan for my life.


You taught me His timing is perfect. 


You taught me to pray and read my Bible. 


You taught me to carry my kids to church, never send them. 


You taught me to take notes in Church. 


You taught me to sing. 


You taught me to never be ashamed of 
Christ and the work He has done in my life. 


You have taught me all this and more. 


I'm proud to call you Mom. 


I hope I can be half the Mom to my girls, you have been to me. 






I love you MUCH, Always & Forever!


=],