Peanut.

Wow, the first post of 2009. I feel privileged to be alive today. The snow is falling gently and the sandwich being eaten by the anonymous person beside me smells delicious. Really, if those are the two things on my mind at this moment, I am indeed privileged.

I should not say that those are the only two things on my mind. Truthfully there is a lot more then that going on. I had my second pediatric/maternity course today and I believe that my love of mental health is about to be superseded by a love for moms and babies. "Peanut" seems to be a term of endearment that several instructors have used when they refer to a little one they are/or have been caring for. I like that. I also like that this morning my prof encouraged all of us in the class to be the HCP that takes the time to bring water to a new mom while breast feeding, to take the 3 year old sibling to the play room or to be the one to cry or laugh with the family. That appeals to me in every possible way. You see, so far I have been pretty nervous about letting my own personality infuse into my practice. I am so concerned with being politically correct and culturally sensitive that I do not allow mySELF to come through. Living like this is extremely fatiguing and feels unnatural so this semester I will try something different. I will maintain my professionalism and all that accompanies this, but I will also allow mySELF to come through. I will laugh, I will cry, I will love and I will likely be a bit of a goof (hey, I can't help it!). But I will NOT be anyone but mySELF.

I learned yesterday that the motto for the first nursing school in St. Catherines, ON was "I see and am silent". Well, not anymore. I am meeting Peanut tomorrow and I can hardly wait.