An Amazing, Uplifting Story

I wanted to share with you a true story that happened to a friend of our family amidst tragedy. 

My mom called me about 3 weeks ago to tell me that a really good friend of our family, and one of my mom's best friends, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sharon is a saint, and has had many trials in her life, including a battle with Lupus.  She is the mother of five beautiful girls and at this point, the main provider for her family.  She works for UVU and is about the most upbeat and faithful person that ever lived.  I cannot recount the number of kind acts that Sharon alone has performed on behalf of my family!

My parents went to visit Sharon a few days before her surgery, and she was noticeably and understandably upset and a bit distraught.  But, as ever, Sharon had faith that things would all work out.  About a week after her surgery, my parents went again to visit Sharon.  The surgery had gone well, and the doctors thought they had gotten most of, if not all of the tumor.  But perhaps the most heartwarming part of the story was told about the response of Sharon's work to all this commotion.

In August, Sharon had another more routine surgery that had eaten up all of her paid time off. So, this brain tumor left her and her family in a great predicament.  In response to this problem, an email was sent out to the employees of UVU, asking anyone who was willing to donate some of their paid time off to Sharon.  The response was overwhelming.  Over 2,000 hours of paid time off were donated to this woman to help her and her family in this time of need.  That is over a year! 

I think that it really shows that even a very small act of kindness in another person's life can make an enormous difference.  When you think you have absolutely nothing to offer this crazy world we live in, think again.  There is always a way to contribute to those around you, even if it is just a smile, a hug,  or an hour or two of paid time off.  

Do a kind deed today in honor of Sharon and all those who need a hand to lift them. Someday you may be that person who's head hangs down.

"In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

Starting Over

So, it has been a little while since I last posted... life has been crazy!!  Not only am I in full swing as a nurse, but I moved out. I know, right? Finally!!!

I live with some roommates in an apartment complex close to the U (and work) and I am loving it! It is quite the adjustment, though.  I am not in any way a fast decision maker, in fact I would deem myself a rather slow one, but this opportunity came along and I took it... it all came about in a week!!

In addition, the Seminary teacher and I broke up about a month ago. Not that big of a deal, but he was insistent on being friends, which has proved to be very emotionally draining. So, this last week I ended the friends portion of our journey.  And, it was pretty freeing, though I don't think he's very happy about it. Technically we are supposed to revisit the friends thing in a few weeks, but I don't anticipate a change in status for us.

So, in a matter of about a month I started my career as a nurse, broke up, moved away from home and started over. Its been quite the roller coaster... here's hoping that all the pieces land where they should!