Yipeeeeeeeee

How apt that when Nij and I went out for dinner he was playing an Alice Cooper CD (No accounting for taste love him!) and the track that was on was School's Out. How apt.

School is indeed out for the holidays.

Do you know - being a teacher is - I truly truly believe - the best job in the world. Yes it is hard. Yes the hours are long, especially when you are a head, but boy the rewards are great. And I don't mean the Christmas presents(though I was thoroughly spoilt with some lovely gifts which were so thoughtful) I mean the rewards of working with children. It is what keeps me sane. It is a blessing.

However, nice and rewarding as it is, I am so ready for a holiday. It has been an exciting but busy term. The hours have been longer than normal, but I have enjoyed it and feel very satisfied with many things that have been achieved this term. So a holiday is wonderfula nd as a big kid myself I love Christmas and am now well and truly excitied. We've had a lovely meal to celebrate.

I haven't made my JYC page for today and do you know what? I don't even care. I am chilled.

I do have my page from yesterday to share though. I knew what i wanted to do when I knew Nij was playing santa at our carols last night. It's been a long time since I have sat on santa's knee!

Couldn't resist it and it is a special page for my book.

 
My quote for today is

 
Today I have much to be thankful for.

• I am thankful that it is the holidays
• I am thankful for the generosity of so many people
• I am thankful that my faith sustains me and enables me to dust myself off when things are bad. There are some very negative people in the wider world - some of whom even choose to read this blog, but clearly for negative reasons. Perhaps if they continue to read they will eventually come to appreciate that it costs nothing to be kind and considerate, that being true to yourself and being able to say you have treated others as you really would like to be treated  is what is of value in life. Perhaps they will  appreciate that thoughtlessness only serves to strengthen my resolve to continue to hold my head up high in the knowledge I answer to a far greater power and that that is what matters.  

 

 

 

And I end with this

How to Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. 

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

 

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. 

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' 

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,

'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arms, and thought,

'That is the kind of love I want in my life.' 

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

 

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

 

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,

but how to dance in the rain...'

  

Comments

[Catriona]

Very philosophical today, Karen. Enjoy your holidays and live by your quote, which I truly believe:

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,

but how to dance in the rain...'

[Scrappyjen]

Yay! Holidays! Can't wait for our break up on Friday. Much as I love the job, like you, I need the break too! On another note,I can't believe that you receive anything other than positive comments for your blog. I have commented before that I look forward to the gratefuls, the lol cats and the quotes. You always seem to have something uplifting to say. I find it uplifting to read your blog! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and look forward to sharing your inspirational words... And scrapbook layouts too! With heartfelt best wishes of the season, jen x

[Sandi]

Cutest little foot pads on the cat! Adorable! I am the only one in my family that dances (barefoot) in the rain. And I also love walking a really short distance barefoot in the snow (photo of my footprints in my December album). I love your positive attitude. Mine lags at times because things have been rough this year. But when I can get out and photograph something, journal about it and put it in an album, I become more positive. Thanks for a year long series of prompts to keep me happy!

[Kim]

Hi, Dolly-

I love your photo with Santa! Too cute!
"How to Dance in the Rain" brought a tear to my eye. Such a sweet story. Thank you for sharing.
Enjoy your Christmas holiday.
Blessings,
Kim

[Bea]

Thanks for How to Dance in the Rain, I may print that off as a page for my 52in11 at some point.