Are you a carrot, egg, or coffee bean?

 

On my way into work this morning I heard on the radio “Glen’s Story Corner”.  I typically am in a rush in the morning and tend to start pre-planning my day during the drive to work.  Our hospital is under quite a bit of stress right now.  We are all being pressed to look at “optimizing staff”.  In addition to that we are under intense preparation for our tri-annual surveys.  We are due for AOIA / HFAP and Joint Commission Accreditation.  Passing these surveys allows us to continue to be reimbursed for patients covered under CMS. 

You could say that it feels like we have been placed into a big pot of boiling water.

Take a look at a raw carrot.  It appears to be strong, firm, and of sound body.  When it is exposed to boiling water it becomes soft, mushy, and its nutrients get boiled out.

What about our little friend the egg?  Well this little fellow has a nice white exterior yet is very fragile and vulnerable.  When exposed to boiled water it still remains white yet becomes hardened and unyielding.  “Harden not your heart”

Now what about the coffee bean.  When it is exposed to boiling water it yields color, boldness, energy, aroma to the water.  It performs the best under hot water.  It yields some of its own essence yet ultimately crafts and changes the water instead of letting the hot water break down or harden it.

This story left an impression on me that I wanted to share with all of you.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Hibernating

It is cold outside.  At last estimate, a balmy –18 degrees (that’s air temperature, not wind chill).  The kids have been off school for two days.  I may not feel this way in June (when they go longer into the summer), but right now I am really enjoying having them home.  What silly fun we’ve been having!  Today has been completely unproductive and feels so good!  Stay warm! 

Letting Go Again…

As it says in our little “profile,” we have coached Jack in soccer since he started (thank you, Greg, for roping Bryan, which then means me, into it :)).  In a bittersweet way, we knew the seasons were numbered as traveling starts in U-10, and we weren’t sure we would be “qualified” to coach anymore.  Anyway, this year they started a traveling team for  U-8.  He could continue in-house or go to the traveling team.  We gave him the choice.  You probably can guess by the title of this post which one he chose.  So now we join the leagues of soccer parents driving “not too far” for the away games each weekend and cheering ourselves hoarse from the sidelines, making sure we aren’t too hard on Jack, the coaches or the refs :) (as memories of dreaming of running away and joining the peace corps with Niki come to mind while our dads voiced their opinions during our basketball games).  Time to make sure the chairs are ready to go this year!  While I’m really sad Bryan isn’t his coach now, I will be happy to have both Bryan and Jack’s help coaching Grace’s team and look forward to watching Jack grow as a soccer player.  And if anything, Jack has become a little more affectionate as he realizes his increasing independence, and I treasure that :)! 

This is a big year for Jack, and not because of soccer: he makes his first reconciliation next month, and he gets his Light of Christ medallion through Cub Scouts at the end of this month.  He is definitely growing up.  We love you, Buddy!!  

Santa Pictures

This year we had some pretty decent luck getting the kids (except Mary) to sit with Santa and smile.

Some Misc Photos from the Holidays

I am testing the new Windows Live Writer to see if it truly helps facilitate the blogging experience.

   

Grace’s teacher has a deaf child and teaches the children in her class various signs.  Bryan’s Aunt Shirley taught him this sign when he was younger as well.