When it snowed on Wednesday, I realized that the mild fall weather was turning towards winter. Thankfully I had brought my potted herbs indoors prior to the snow. It is a blessing to have fresh herbs year around. I have a sunny bay window that is the perfect spot for…
For many years I worked as a childbirth nurse. Early on in my career I had to clarify my position on life. In 1973 I was in my first job—a labor and delivery unit in a busy hospital. The hospital was associated with a University Medical School. I don’t think…
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 14. The Farmer’s Almanac gives the history of this day, pointing to three women who promoted respect and support for motherhood. In the middle of the 19th century, Ann Reeves Jarvis sponsored Mothers’ Day work clubs. Her goal was to improve the living condition for…
Sadness and tears. It is how I feel for the loss of life. Many in our country have an extreme view of reproductive rights. Individual choices and success take precedent over the gift of life that God gives. My husband and I are reading through the book of Ezekiel. I can’t…
During WWII Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany. Like many occupied countries, there was a resistance movement. Mandy Robotham has written a historical fiction book, The Resistance Girl, based on events that took place during that time. The main character, Rumi, is a young woman who is the daughter of…
What does it take to go against the current trends in our culture? Curiosity? Critical thinking skills? Perseverance? Sometimes circumstances give an extra push. For most of my nursing career I have worked in the hospital. I worked in hospital labor/delivery units, caring for women during childbirth. I took time…
During the first year of my nursing practice Roe v. Wade was decided. In 1973 I was working for a city hospital in a busy labor/delivery unit (500 births per month). The unit was staffed with resident doctors, attending physicians and nurses. At the beginning of each shift, we received…
In the weeks preparing to visit our new grandson I spent evenings knitting—first a blanket and then a lovey. Knitting is a calming activity. It requires me to stay focused on counting stitches while following a pattern. In the heavy season of worldwide troubles, my mind rests while I knit. …
The trip to Finland in 2017 had several purposes. We were meeting some relatives for the first time at a family reunion in northern Finland. After the reunion my husband I traveled south by train. When we arrived in Vaasa (western coast of Finland) we rented a car. The midwife…
As a nurse I have worked through the night and welcomed the morning. Before my marriage I worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Michigan (Holden Unit). I worked the night shift, 7 pm to 7 am. Around 5am we took turns walking along a corridor…