One year ago I left on a journey that would challenge, inspire and move me in unimaginable ways. Looking back, I marvel at how much has changed: change in the world, in my life and in how I perceive the world. Now I am a “real nurse”, graduated, working and loving my job. But the people I met in Cameroon hold a special place in my heart and though they may not realize it—each of them has played a significant role in shaping the person (and nurse) that I am today. These are a few of the people and moments that have been Etch-E-Sketched into my heart.
The eighty-year-old woman who danced the night away at our welcome celebration taught me that you’re never too old to enjoy life. This may sound like a fairly simple concept—but sometimes joy isn’t as much a circumstance as a decision. When I am eighty years old- I will choose to dance.
You never realize the impact you may have in someone’s life. These children were in one of our first classes (when we didn’t really know what we were doing) at the beginning of the trip. You may remember the malaria/mosquito skit we acted out for the kids, which involved me walking around the classroom making buzzzzzzing sounds pretending to be a mosquito (like a total goober). Then after a few intense rounds of Malaria Tag—our teaching was complete and hopefully the kids got something out of our games and silliness. We returned to the school weeks later to deliver mosquito nets and when the kids saw me—this was their response. I will likely be remembered as the Crazy Mosquito Lady—but the point is— they remembered our message.
Another important message that I carry with me is that being human is an amazing gift. We have the ability to love, help and care for each other in remarkable and sometimes unexpected ways. And I’m not saying that I traveled to Cameroon to do these noble things—but rather the people of Cameroon did them in return for me. I had no idea how burdened I had been by school and life (and even the preparation for this trip)—but when I was there, it was all wiped away. I experienced love at every turn and the heavy burdens I had carried for so long were lifted away. I wish I could tell you what I felt—the only world I can think of is JOYFUL. So this is my goal for 2012: To practice opening my heart to the joy that is around me.
And finally—last but not least. My passion for nursing has continued to grow as I embrace the joys and challenges of my job. It is exciting to know that I am a better nurse today than I was yesterday—but we have to start somewhere. And as I continue to grow in my knowledge base and enthusiasm for what I do, I hope that my career will lead me back to Africa one day (if not Cameroon specifically). Sometimes working in acute care, I feel very distant from the preventative messages we worked so hard to promote. Shouldn’t it be easier to promote health in a place that has so many resources available? So I’m making that goal #2 for 2012: to continue promoting health-- not only in my words, but in my actions as well. Besides, history has taught us that that leading by example is one of the best methods for promoting change. So who’s with me?!!
