Now I am going to go out on a limb here and say...

I think I have turned out pretty good.

Granted I am only 26 years old and I have a lot of living left to do. I feel I am in a good place. It is time the credit is given where it is due.
Curtis and Linda Buchanan the two greatest parents a girl could have.
Mom and Dad thank you for your example. Thank you for teaching me I am a Daughter of God a woman of great worth. Thank you for raising me in the Gospel. Thank you for showing me where it is the Lord would have me be, so that as I grew I would stay in that path. Thank you for reminding me to love my sisters and brother. I know you thought you had failed us on that one as we grew up. Today I can say my best friends are my sisters and brother. Thank you for making that bond eternal. Thank you for supporting me in all my endeavours and continuing to love me when I came up short. Thank you for teaching me to serve and to love all that enter my life. Thank you for supporting me in my schooling, for sacrificing so I might get through my schooling. For encouraging me when I struggled through nursing school and for celebrating with me when I reached my goals. Thank you for teaching me to work.

Thank you for supporting me in my move to Utah. I have been thinking about that move quite a bit lately. It has come up in many a conversation. The move I think was a pivotal moment in my life. At the time I did not know why it had to happen I just knew it is where the Lord wanted me. (Thank you for teaching me to listen to the Spirit and act when directed) Quickly I learned there was not going to be one grand reason I was to be in Utah and I don't think I went searching for it. Daily little things would tell me this is why you are in Utah. It has been a little over 2 and a half years since I packed my bags and moved here. I have learned so much about myself. I have been given wonderful opportunities to serve. I have developed friendships to last a life time. I know this is where I am to be. The hardest part about being here is of course being away from my family. Thank you for allowing me to come here even thought there would be miles in between us.

Thank you Mom and Dad for all you have done for me.

What Makes it Worth it.

A busy day of non stop running... So much to do... More patients than one nurse should ever have... A stack of charts reminding you you are behind.

What makes it worth it?

The patients of course.

You are a nurse because you want to serve you want to make a difference for someone. You want to offer a little hope in one persons tragedy. So you set out each day to make that difference. Even when it comes routine you can still find that patient to mix it up for you.

That is rarely the way it happens for me... Usually the patients make a difference in my life. They teach me more than I ever could teach them. They offer me the pearls of knowledge they have collected along the roads they have traveled. Often they do not know they are doing it. Often they see a girl trying her best and they some how know what she needs to hear.

Their stories inspire me. Their love encourages me. They make it worth it.

Thank you to all the patients that have touched my life and given me a chance to serve.