I'm getting there...

Today was a good day. The sun was shining, for starters. That in itself is a wonder in February, right? I took the bus into City Hospital to give them all of my personal and vital information, before staring my new job. They were kind and chipper. I jumped on what I thought was the same bus to get home and it was the "wrong" number 88. My poor husband really stresses over this one and knows not how it can be! It is honey...it really is so. The kindly bus driver gave me back £1.10 to catch the next bus...which i found VERY unusual...but shouldn't. (Especially cool considering the city had raised bus fare and I gave the wrong change in the morning. The driver had overlooked it, and I gave him the difference before exciting the bus. The look on his face was priceless...he seemed genuinely stunned. To think some people don't believe in karma...) I looked around and decided to walk and enhance my attempts to become fit. (I AM trying...honest...) I wavered a bit and actually decided to trust my instincts and knew it had to be close. I was right. In a city this size to find my way home on foot without asking directions or freaking out was a great feeling. Not that I would have attempted it at night, mind you. I am not yet that brave. Not monumental by any standards...but in my new-found life in England...it feels pretty damn good. As far as the £1.10....I can use it to start a fund in this city to get benches and covers at more bus stops for the elderly. Firmly implanted after speaking with a lovely elderly Welsh woman at my first stop this a.m.(ok...maybe I'll sit or take shelter once in awhile too...)

Time goes by....

Unfortunetly, the end of January the Thompson family lost Leanne, my-sister-in-law to cancer. She fought bravely for several years. The combination of Chemo and a very aggressive type of the disease finally took it's toll upon her. She left behind 3 small children, a devoted husband and family and many friends of equal devotion. People loved her. She had charm and spark. I selfishly regret that I had such little time to spend with her to get to know her. Fortunetly, she had the opportunity to die peacefully in their home...with Nick at her side. I have seen death many times over in my nursing career. I have never been so honored and humbled before. It was peaceful and dignified. Friends came by to say goodbye and those who loved her could say farewell as she would have wanted. Sadly, those who loved her were left behind to grieve. Having been honest and open with the children, from what I have seen, seemed to provide some, albeit slight comfort. So young, so unfair.

I would discuss any or all that has occurred in the last couple of months...but I believe that in this moment, it isn't necessary...for respect. All else pales.