Monday, May 14, 2012

366 days later

Yesterday marked my first anniversary as a post-college graduate. I remember waking up last year on May 13th too tired to even fix my hair for graduation (after looking back on the pictures, I wish I had put a bit more effort into it). Our apartment was almost empty, saving a few air mattresses and last minute things to pack after the ceremony.
I celebrated my first year out of nursing school at work, on Mother’s day, complete with down computer systems and paper charting. It was a late and exhausting day, seeing as how I clocked out an hour later than normal, but there were some really rewarding parts. I didn’t have much time to reflect yesterday, but this morning over my cup of tea, I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness.

In the past year, I:

-travelled to France

-passed NCLEX

-experienced more and more restoration in my relationship with my dad

-moved to Nashville

-got a credit card

-became a car owner

-started a job at Vandy

-got my own health insurance

-survived my first OBET with my patient (and had a few others since)

-kept all my patients alive (that sounds dramatic, but it’s not meant to be, that was a real fear coming out of school)

-navigated airports and flights alone

-joined a new church

-met some really awesome friends

-went on my first blind date

-made some tough adult decisions

-bought my first piece of real furniture

-bought my first TV ever (seriously)

-signed a lease on my first, very own, apartment.

-went back to therapy

-did some things I was really afraid to do

-decided I still like slow mornings over a cup of tea.

I was so terrified of real, no strings attached, independence in a new city and job a year ago. Yet, the Lord has been so gracious to me. I am so blessed to be where I am, to work with the people I work with, to experience fellowship with the friends God’s placed in my life here. I’m so thankful for His patience towards me, because heaven knows how much I’ve tried it over these past 12 months. This year has not been easy or very pretty, but it has been one of the richest seasons in terms of growth, joy, challenge, grace and refinement. That being said, I’m really glad to have year 1 under my belt.

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