How Far We've Come

When I think back on it, it was always just the five of us, crazy kids, worryless adults, just trying to survive. We were four hicks and a chick, and we were instoppable, the world was at our feet, and we didn't even realize it, we just kept living like the world had already done us wrong by making us grow up.

It was always blue eyes and blue jeans. It was always busting our asses just to fix an old beat-up truck. Anything domestic besides beer was laughed at and we lived for Friday nights. Grades were a suggestion, homework an option and we made things work for us. Life was good.

When I realize where we are at now, its still just five of us, we are still crazy, but no longer kids. Our mudding trips have been replaced with movie nights. Grades are no longer an option and we aren't acting out, we are doing what we think we are supposed to in life. We used to crowd around campfires, now we are crowded around anything but. We used to save each other and take chances with our lives, feeling invincibile, now we realize how quick its going and that we will not live forever. However, I have learned a ton since then.

-I have learned that there are times where its okay to follow the rules, but you will never forget the times you broke them for the first time.

-I have learned that regardless of what the weatherman says, it is always sunny, you just have to look past the cloud cover, its always there.

-I have learned that its not okay to always go with the flow, and its always important to listen to your heart in all matters.

-I have learned that people give second chances more times than not, and I have come to understand the importance of these second chances. Third chances don't exsist.

Those are just a few things that I have learned, all from personal experience. After re-reading a few of my posts and comments I got to thinking about life, the to-do list and whats next in life for me. I have conqured a ton of the little hills I set out for myself, but there's still more to do. I have gotten my piercings (and they meant something to me as well), I have ridden in an ambulance, I have changed a life, I have worked side-by-side with a doctor, just to name a few. You don't realize how far you've come until you step back and look at it.

Nothing exciting happened at work last night, I had a heavy patient load, but the nurses were excellent about giving me a hand, and everything ran so smoothly, it truly made up for all the drama on Monday. I cannot believe I have been working there 9 months now, but I have loved almost each and every day, (I honestly can only gripe about 2 patients, max) and I have learned so much. I have helped recover patients from surgery, I have assisted doctors with dressing changes, I have assisted the nurse with any and all invasive and non-invasive procedures, and most importantly I have come to learn more about life and myself.

In the blog heading, it says 'I never thought I would learn about life on the job.' I wish I could explain the feeling I get in my heart every time I think about everything I have learned from my patients, from their experiences. Working with them, learning from them has made me better, smarter and more compassionate. I have learned about the blue skies, about the love from a parent to a child, about addictions, taking a stand for yourself, and so many more lessons. We take for granted the beauty of our job, from time to time we gripe, moan and bitch, and with good reason! But I strongly believe that if we step back from time to time and see how much we've learned, we would be hesitant to bitch and moan.