Back to school

I'm writing from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky. 5 days away from home - I can't believe I'm doing it. I knew I would regret not bringing Sam, with Lelia to watch him, but it's good that she's home to help with both Natty and Sam. I always second guess myself. That's part of my dark side and I'm trying to overcome it. I made the decision, here I am and I'd best enjoy the adult time. Thank goodness they have an electric pump - pumping manually on the journey here was a challenge. I left a freezer full of milk, although the word from Quaker Rd is that he's going through it fast. I miss him like crazy! But he's in good hands.

When I talked to Natty on the phone tonight, she asked, "What did you do in school today?" We got to exchange school stories. I remember when my mom went back to school - when I saw how hard she was working and how well she did it was incentive to me to also do well in my studies. I want to be an example for Natty and Sam in many ways, but hopefully a love of learning is a big one.

The story of the Frontier Nursing school is inspiring. Reading about it reminds me of why I got into nursing in the first place. Mary Breckenridge, the founder, was an amazing woman along the lines of Florence Nightengale, Mother Teresa and others. Caring spirit, high energy and amazing administrative capacity. She was from a wealthy family and well educated, like Nightengale, and used her advantages to care for others. She also had a strong faith and it reminds me of how much better I do when my soul is healthy. My Lenten commitment was to go to church every Sunday in Lent. So far so good, and I'm appreciating the services more since I've gone a few weeks in a row.

Another area of my life to promote health in is my physical body. I am such a calmer and more pleasant person when I exercise - especially in the mornings because there is the added benefit of waking up in solitude and quiet, instead of the high morning energy of Murray and Natty. So hopefully I'll be motivated to run in the mornings here to kick start my muscles - then keep it up when I get home. I am in a clothing limbo - prego cloths too big, normal clothes too tight. Maybe I could fit into some items when I return. Woohoo!