Keeping On

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true.
I've seen them vanish at dawn.
But I've realized enough of my dreams, thank God,
To make me want to dream on.

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came.
Tho' I've waited patient and long.
But answers have come to enough of my prayers,
To make me keep praying on.

I've trusted many a friend that failed,
And left me to weep alone.
But I've found enough of my friends true blue,
To make me keep trusting on.

I've sown many seed that fell by the way,
For the birds to feed upon.
But I've had enough golden sheaves in my hand,
To make me keep sowing on.

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain,
I've gone many days without song.
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life,
To make me want to live on.

You Might Be a Home Health Care Nurse If...

Signs you might be a home health nurse....

1. You can walk into a absolute strangers home, get a complete (26 plus pages) medical history, check their bathroom, fridge, and bare bottom in 45 minutes.

2. You have ever rolled a patient over and found roaches in the bed with them.

3. You have flicked roaches off a patient's leg in the midst of wound care.

4. You can (and have) apply a wound vac to any anatomical location--as long as you have enough tegaderm and stoma paste.

5. You have used a coat hanger as an IV pole.

6. Directions to find your patient have included "turn at the big tree and then drive another 10 miles."

7. You could insert a Foley catheter unassisted blindfolded.

8. You have planned your visits schedule around which patient has the "clean" bathroom.

9. You plan your visits to the ghetto between the hours of 10am and 2pm while the drug dealers are in bed.

10. Maintaining a sterile field involves the added challenge of keeping the dog, cat, grandkids and previously mentioned roaches out of your field.

A Stirring

The joining of my body with yours
has awakened something
deep within my soul.

A stirring of feelings
that have lain dormant
for so long.

Trying to make sense
of the thoughts
that fill my head.

To bring into perspective
the cloudiness
of my mind.

To embrace the arousal
that courses
through my veins.

It speaks to me
in the still of the night
It is desire...


Copyright Patti Phillips
January 2010

May You Have Peace Within

A prayer attributed to St. Theresa of Lisieux:



''May today there be peace within...
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be...
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others...
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you...
May you be content with yourself just the way you are...
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love...
It is there for each and every one of us...''

St-Theresa of Lisieux was known for her "little way" philosophy of serving God by doing small things. Her most famous recent namesake, who may soon also be beatified, is of course Mother Teresa, the Albanian-born Indian missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying:

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."