In 1978 I had the privilege of working for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brantford, Ontario where I remained for almost twenty years. Then, as now, …
Yesteryear: when it was an honour to serve the sick
‘Write Your Obituary‘
Christine loved words. And her favorite were the last words.
She lived her life well enough to bring special meaning to the word, ‘Regrets, I’ve had a few”
But they certainly were too few to mention.
She never quite took life seriously enough feeling it was all so transient
And most of tragedy had a good maniacal comedy about it.
Life itself was not a joke to Chris, it was the seriousness that people persist in believing it to be that was funny.
Christine wanted to impart some good to the world so she became a nurse and thought, ‘Yes this is doing good.’
Then she became a teacher of nurses and thought, ‘If I can fill one person with the passion for nursing that I have then that is good.’
Then she became a manager and director thinking she could make the most impact there.
She sat in Queen’s Park on the Emergency Health Services Committee and though, ‘Yes here I can make a difference.’
By the time she retired Christine wondered if in fact she had made even a ripple in the great ocean of health care and then
It occurred to her that she had – not to the great cumbersome machine itself but to individuals which may seem small but in the larger picture is not.
Christine raised two sons who were her pride. She loved each fiercely and respected them and their families in all the choices of their lives.
She had two great great loves in her life – her grandsons and the opportunity to be in the moment with them every day meant more to her than all the riches on earth.
She thought herself a poet and writer but the best stories stayed deep within.
She wanted her death – well her passing since death itself does not exist – to be a time of great joy and hilarity.
No tears – do not let the best part of her earthly being, the joy, insane laughter and stories be lost to sadness.
Get out and party and laugh.
Talk about the time she and B got lost in the golf club parking lot and could not find their way out.
Talk about the time she and J CSI’d the vacuum cleaner bag.
Talk about the time…the time…
Christine would want you to know that you should be smiling and laughing this very moment
And all of the ‘times’ she remembered are on CD for your viewing pleasure because after
All – She did want the last word!!
LOIS ROELOFS
I am hesitant to write today’s FITFS (Following in the FootSteps) series for two reasons. The first is that Kathleen Korthuis, Lois’s sister passed away October 5, 2012 and so her focus is on preparing Kay’s eulogy and dealing with the sorrow and loss experienced by her family, friends and herself. You know that the purpose of FITFS is to honor my heroes. Writers of the blogging world who inspire me to be better and to somehow emulate them. Writers have allowed me in some way to be part of their life. I decided to go ahead with this post to let Lois know that she is in our hearts at this very difficult time.
The second reason I hesitated is that Lois is exactly who I would like emulate but she has set the bar high. She is the ideal for me and I am in awe of her life and what she has accomplished and continues to accomplish.
Like me, Lois Roelofs has her heroes and certainly the most important was her sister Kay who was her lifelong career mentor. In fact both of them attended the Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Lois’s 50th reunion takes place this weekend prior to Kay’s service. How bitter sweet that must be. Kay graduated in 1955, Lois in 1962, – oh and me from South Waterloo Memorial Hospital in 1969. That’s right. There is a sisterhood bond here beyond writing, nursing and blogging.
You know how some people, like all of my heroes, do what so many do, but they do it with that extra touch of class? It is that extra touch that I guess I want to emulate.
Lois, says in her ‘About’ page that she initially started the Blog to center around the publication of her career memoir, Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self. She is a Chicago girl, wife, Mom, and Grandma.
Being a nurse from about the same era touches my heart and makes me get all mushy about old hospitals and old uniforms. (I still think the old fashioned hats signifying who the registered nurse is instead of non-nursing staff was wonderful. We worked hard to get those black bands on crisply starched hats). I took the photo below from the Blodgett web site and Lois also has the same one on her post of October 6th. Kay helped open the first intensive care unit in the country in 1958 and she is the nurse poised over the desk.
Lois I know this FITFS may seem more about Kay than you and someday soon I may do another honoring only yourself for your incredible achievements. But I hope you will let me join you in dedicating this post to your sister,
KATHLEEN E. KORTHUIS, PhD, RN 1934-2012
Folks I hope you will stop by to visit Lois, read about her incredible life, say hi, and leave a comment or two.
I Marked A Wonderful Day Pakulaked With Fun
A Nursing Nightmare (Guest Post).
Ladies and Gentlemen… My sincerest thanks to Mark (theidiotspeaketh) at redriverpak.wordpress.com for posting this guest…and for his encouragement…and…and..!!!! 🙂
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