Something that matters

I was gently reminded yesterday that it has been a little while since I have blogged....and by gently I mean a Facebook post that read "Write again." 

I love New Year's. Not necessarily the staying-up-late celebration part- let's face it, I would really rather be in bed much earlier than midnight- but what it represents. It is a clean slate, a time of reflection, a fresh perspective.

I love to read back over my journaling from the past year; to be reminded of where I have been, the lessons I have learned/am learning, what plans have come full circle, and what plans did not come to be, every time for my good. Looking at resolutions from the last year and seeing which were accomplished, which ones I can put on the list again this year, and often seeing how different my goals for this coming year are.

Call me sentimental and idealistic. I was really excited to come up with resolutions for this year. I found it much harder than before, because I have no idea what comes after June. As opposed to last year when I knew exactly what I was doing for the year...."get a dog" worked out really well :)

The new year in the hospital has been full of both great moments and hard moments- but mostly good!

New babies to love on.
                                               

Old friends, back for second surgeries, looking great!

New patients we have the opportunity to help- as frustrating as their road to healing can be. Read Angelique's story here on Deb's blog.
                                                 
                                            

And perhaps my favorite moment of 2014: seeing Rovel's wounds heal enough that he could go home.

The night he got back from surgery, he hopped off the stretcher and walked himself to his bed. Not without stopping to show us that he could turn his head every direction, as his shoulder-to-face flap had been removed.

That evening, he also insisted that he needed a haircut. His head had been wrapped in daily dressings for weeks and this was necessary. The special thing about this place is I can call my friend Jasmine, the hairdresser, and she comes down to the ward with clippers for a haircutting party, not minding that it is 8pm on her night off.

To see him smile at his going away party when multiple people told stories of how he hid around corners and jumped out to scare them. To watch his eyes light up when he realized the balloons in the bag I had were full of water. To hear him cackle and declare Junior and himself "Champions!" when they escaped completely dry. (Grace and I on the other hand were pretty soaked). 

 

 

To gather on the dock as he and his grandmother give hugs to all who had come to see him off. This is why we are here. These are the moments I long to never forget.

Outside of work, this year has been full of lessons in grace and loving people, as we continue to navigate friendships and life 24/7 community.

"Renewed hope for the future" a friend called it. This is where my excitement for the new year is rooted. Deep down inside, I know it will be good. For each of us is right where we need to be to do something that matters.



"I Was Here" - Lady Antebellum

Many things can change, but some things never will

The hopefulness this season brings....

It's no secret that Christmas is my favorite time of year. The countdown lasts all year, but December 1st brings an uncontainable excitement. Lights, trees, Advent, cookies, baking, hot chocolate, shopping and presents, more baking, cold weather....I could go on and on.

It's also no secret that Christmas this year was different than any before. I had no idea what to expect during the season. I wasn't even sure if that excitement would still be there, or if I would simply spend those weeks missing family and home, waiting for the holidays to pass. Sure, the ship went all out with decorations and celebrating with numerous activities special to the crew members from around the world. We had Advent services each Sunday evening, a Nutcracker ballet performance, a visit from Sinterklaas, and a beautiful night of singing as we celebrated Santa Lucia. Doors and hallways were decorated, holiday parties were had, Christmas cookies were baked. Trying to bring bits of home to this international community that is unlike any other.

The beauty of this season, however, came not from any planned activities or watching hours of Christmas movies with friends in pajamas. It was the unexpected moments.

A windows down, country music playing loud, Land Rover full of friends drive out of the city on Christmas Eve eve. Watching the sun sink lower behind the ocean on the horizon, across the gorge, the wind bringing the sounds and smells that are only Africa.

Witnessing the faithful friendship of our non-medical crewmates to our patients.

Remember Rovel (star crafter from a few weeks ago)? A few days before Christmas, he had his second stage surgery and we saw his personality fade away, only wanting to stay in bed. He was mad, he did not like what had been done in surgery, as he now had to keep his head tilted toward his left shoulder. So he pouted.

The night of our Australian Candlelight and Carols on the dock, each of these guys came to the ward to convince him to join. To no avail. He was "tired." Content to sit beside me at the computer and watch me type words that he does not understand. Then we offered to take him to one of the upper decks, where he could look down and watch. A hint of a smile.

Because I had forgotten. He is only a young teenager. Who has had his face attached to his shoulder. Who doesn't have the luxury of a private room, rather a room full of 14 other patients and their caregivers. I wish you could have seen him wave to his friends down on the dock. Then the friends that joined him on Deck 7 :)

Christmas Eve, where we set our shoes outside our doors and joined the rest of the crew for the lighting of the final advent candle. No, we did not all raise candles during Silent Night, but instead we sang verses in French, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish, Norwegian, German, and English.

Waking Christmas morning to shoes full of cards, treats, and gifts. Blessed by the generosity, thoughtfulness, and creativity of the people here.

 



Spending Christmas week with these friends.....

Being "hospitable" during Open Cabin



Christmas Eve eve drive

Christmas Eve pancake breakfast

 

Watching Elf with Rovel during his daily dressing changes, hearing him giggle when Buddy eats a plate of spaghetti noodles and maple syrup, or seeing him dance along with the scene in the mail room.

 

Laughing as he shakes his head and rolls his eyes, because the Christmas tree headband I am wearing is ridiculous.

 

 

Seeing him smile when he realized that when he said his favorite color was vert (green) it means he gets green head bandages.

 

Or the colors of the Congo flag if its a special day!

 

And perhaps my favorite moment thus far, hearing him say "Wow, thank you!" when he looks at his face after the bandage comes off, and he finally likes what he sees.

"I know it's true, time doesn't stand still. many things can change, but some things never will. The memories we share, the songs we always sings, the mystery of life, the hopefulness this season brings....Always sentimental and don't you know that it's gonna be a Christmas to remember"


"A Christmas to Remember"- Amy Grant