" What A Difference A Day Makes. Or Rather, Five Months. "

Life is so full of twists and turns. I believe most of us would like to think that we have some sort of control over those twists and turns but the fact of the matter is that we really don't have too much of a say in the matter of where our paths will lead us.

Case in point. 

Almost exactly five months ago I was just going along with my normal self. Ha, I bit boring but somewhat contented at the same time. Always the mother that I am,  I still lived most of my life for my children, always having this feeling of needing to be there for whatever they may need. I held off on going to work full time as I felt that would be selfish in some strange way as I wouldn't "BE THERE" at a moments notice for whatever trial and or tribulation that may pop up at a moments notice for my children.

The children that I speak of being 35, 32 and 18 years of age.

Silly I know. I do believe that I raised them well. 

Not perfectly mind you but well.

Back to five months ago. 

My youngest daughter, Katie. My baby, decided that she wanted to sign up and try a C.N.A coarse. Her father and I never stopped any of our children from trying out something that interested them so we agreed to pay for the coarse.

Now for a dream of mine that was always in the back of my mind. I have always wanted to be a nurse but never ever had the confidence in myself to go for it until 19 years ago when I actually signed up for a college entrance exam for nursing school.

I passed all but the math. I would have had to taken a math coarse in order to take the nursing classes . Back then my confidence level was very low so I used that as an excuse to not pursue my dream which was just as well because shortly after that I discovered  that I was pregnant with Katie.

It turned out to be a difficult pregnancy at 36 years of age for me. I was put on bed rest for the last six months. The dream sort of faded away. Sort of.

Five months ago when Katie signed up for the class, she wasn't in a very good place. I suggested and decided that I would also sign up for the C.N.A. class with her. I thought  "Why not.", I have nothing better to do.

Truthfully, knowing my children as I do, I didn't think that Katie would make it through this class as she can't even clean dog messes without complaint but I went with her the first day anyway thinking that perhaps she may be serious about this.

She dropped out after the second class. I stayed. By myself. A bit odd for me but I did it none the less. I went everyday of the eight week class. I went through my clinicals, met some pretty awesome people and impressed myself with my "A" average. 

I have always lived for my children and husband so this was a major accomplishment for me. Doing something completely for myself. It felt very strange yet very good as well. It felt right.

I took the state exam after the class. I passed. Wow. What an accomplishment for me. I never would have dreamed that I could accomplish this. But I did.

Because of Hippa laws I cannot write or talk about where I have worked or where I am working. I can however reveal this much, I feel very, very blessed right now. Come back in six months and I may tell you something different. For now though I can see myself staying where I am at until I cannot work anymore.

I work strictly with Alzhiemers/Dementia residents and I do love this work so much. I have researched, learned and am learning more about this disease everyday. I am now qualified as a Dementia care specialist. How and why I still don't quite understand. I just know that it feels right and I love what I am doing. I think I will be very good at it!!

Now back to five months ago. 

If you would have told me then that I would be doing what I am doing, I don't think that I would have believed you.

And this just goes to show you how fast life goes.

You may be going along thinking that your life is what it is and then all of a sudden you may be thrown into a completely different place.  

Life is a highway..