A New Perspective

It's really true that reality = truth + perception. I see it every day. While it may be true that one of our patients has received all the correct treatments, tests, and medications, when a concerned family member notices that the linens haven't been changed, the trash hasn't been emptied, or the food is cold, the perception of the quality of care is impacted. Their reality changes.

All of life is like this. I once heard that reality is 10% what happens, and 90% how I respond to it. That means I have a lot of control over my reality, even when I don't have much control over what happens. It's all in my outlook or my attitude.

To prove this to myself I set out on a walk with my camera in hand, determined to see something in a new or different way. I took the same route I usually take; I wore the same shoes I always wear; and plugged my iPhone in like I always do. By all accounts it was the same walk I've taken hundreds of times before.

But this time I chose to look at things differently. I looked for things that I hadn't seen before. I looked up, and I looked down. I looked at details and I looked at the big picture. And I was pretty amazed at what I found. What new or different things can you discover in your every day?

Noticing light

Looking ahead

Looking up

Looking down

Looking carefully

Listening

Noticing - Can you see me?

Appreciating the ordinary.

Semper Fi!

Yesterday David took a huge first step on his journey into adulthood. He took the enlistment oath to join the United States Marine Corps. As he has done a half dozen times before, he left from home around 3 p.m. Sunday, spent the night at a local hotel, woke up at 4 a.m., and arrived at the Camp Dodge MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) before 7 a.m. During previous visits, he had completed aptitude exams, physical exams, or simply spent time with other recruits. This time, however, he spent several hours talking about his goals with enlistment officers in order to make sure this was really what he wanted to do. Then, at around 1 p.m., seven young men were led in reciting the following:

I, David Miedema, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegience to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I felt a bit like I do whenever I see a young couple recite their wedding vows...hopeful, emotional, and just a bit sorry for the poor young folks who have no clue what they are getting into. These seven boys were so young; kids really.  But their eyes revealed their excitement about becoming soldiers.

David is in a delayed enlistment program, which means he won't actually enter until next March. Meanwhile, he will participate in local exercises with his recruiter and other recruits in order to prepare for the rigors of boot camp. Until March, life won't change much. He will continue to work part time, play X-Box, and hang out with friends. But come next March this young man will get on a fast track to manhood! Let's pray that we bring our guys home from Afganistan before then.

The Winds of Change

There have been a few goodbyes this month. Some goodbyes are a welcome sigh of relief - like the goodbye to surveyors from the Department of Inspections and Appeals who have camped at our hospital for what seems like forever. Some goodbyes are nearly disabling - like the goodbyes David is saying to friends who are headed off to college while he remains unable to envision exactly what his future looks like. And some goodbyes are a bittersweet mixture of sadness and eager anticipation - like the Big Goodbye Al has said to Office Depot after over 15 years of working for the company.

This has been Al's workplace since we moved to Des Moines to open this store in June of 1998. Hannah was only 4 months old, and Darrin was entering high school. This store has served Al as much as he has served it by being less than 3 miles from our house, and by providing many dear friends over the years. Al led this store as a ministry - using it to provide employment to many friends and acquaintances who had unexpectedly found themselves without work. Because he insisted on the highest standards of customer service, he had a loyal following of customers. I recall being on an airplane flying back to Des Moines after a business trip when the man sitting next to me, with whom I had been making small talk, commented that he would drive across town to do business at that particular Office Depot.

Al has felt a restless dissatisfaction for several months now. It appears that Office Depot is in turmoil as a company, and the effects are being felt at the store level. So when an opportunity arose, Al decided it was time to move on. Last week, he started a new job for this company.

Party City  is a growing company with profits that are soaring despite the difficult economy. I guess people still want to host themed birthday parties and have color-coordinated paperware for graduation parties. Yes, it is still retail. But apparently Party City is not one of the places that people flock to on Black Friday or the day after Christmas, so that's a good thing. Their busy time is Halloween, but apparently there isn't a need to keep extended store hours even then. Job growth potential is good. Al will be the general manager of the store in Ankeny, Iowa. There are several additional stores scheduled to open in Iowa.

Change is always a curious combination of excitement and anxiety. It was so nice knowing that Al was close to home if one of the kids needed to be taken to a dentist appointment or to be available for the washing machine repair man. Quite selfishly, I'm going to miss some of the deep discounts on new computers and electronic gadgetry. I'm not quite as thrilled at the prospect of half-price paper plates (Halloween costumes, perhaps.) I worry that we may someday find ourselves faced with decisions about moving again. And I'm not looking forward to the next several weeks of training, when Al will need to be in Wisconsin for five days every week.

Looking backward, I know that God has directed our every step. He has brought incredible good out of every move - career and home - that we've made. I'm thrilled to see energy and excitement in Al's eyes again.

The End of an Era

With great anticipation, and with a little sadness, Hannah and I (along with Hannah's friend Greta) stood in line just before midnight on July 15 to see the final installment of the Harry Potter series, The Deathly Hollows - Part II. Even the moon cooperated in the event by being full and bright. Little Harry, whom we first met in ten years ago, is all grown up now. While his friends at Hogwarts have been refining their magical talents and enjoying the frivolity of adolescence, Harry has grown up far too fast. The fate of the magical world rests squarely on his shoulders. The series is really a messiah story, as Harry is faced with a decision to lay down his life for his fellow wizards. With the support of his parents and others who have preceded him in death, Harry does so willingly. Of all the movies, this final chapter was without a doubt my favorite. I may need to see this one again just to relish it fully.

Hannah was only three years old when young Daniel Radcliffe rose to stardom as he portrayed 11-year-old Harry Potter in the very first of the series in 2001. But since then, she has watched every movie, first on VHS tapes and now on DVD. We have all the books (I'm reading them now after the fact.) I can't recall how many birthday parties and sleepovers have involved Harry Potter, or how many times we have re-watched the movies. There is no doubt that the Harry Potter series will be remembered as some of the iconic movies of her childhood, and Harry's story will told and retold for years to come. It will be interesting to see how high school English classes and college literature courses address the Harry Potter books. Will Harry be viewed as a religious metaphor? Will the "Ministry of Magic" become an allegory for modern government? Or will we simply remember this as a fantasy-filled children's story?

And so this tribute seems fitting, as we bid farewell to Harry, Hermoine, Ron, Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, and a host of other lovable characters. And, of course, Lord Voldemort. We won't miss him at all.

2001

2002

2004

2005

2007

2010

Me & my iPhone

Now, I'm not usually into techy gizmos the way so many people are. I definitely do not run out to buy the latest new toy to hit the market. I figure it's better to let other people work the bugs out. So when my employer added the iPhone to the list of available phone choices at the same time my phone contract was due for renewal, I wasn't at all sure I wanted to take the leap. After all, I primarily use my phone for the purpose it was intended - calling people. I do keep up with my work email (because otherwise I would be buried in email every day), but I'm not much for the whole text message thing. Why on earth would I need a phone that plays music, tells the weather forecast, takes pictures, surfs the web, and allows me to read books on a screen that is the size of a deck of cards?

I have officially eaten my words.

This little device is amazing. It is so versitile; I'm sure I haven't even scratched the surface on its capabilities. My favorite things about it:

• I can get directions and watch as my car moves along the road to see where to turn next
• I can track what I eat on Weight Watchers' mobile app
• I can listen to music; something I haven't done in years
• I can pay for my Starbucks coffee, and can reload my account directly from my work payroll withdrawal
• I can check the weather radar, and track storms
• I can listen to the radio - live
• I can see how far I've walked
• AND I can take some fairly decent photos.

I guess I'm convinced.

The last view of the field behind my house before it is turned into a road.

The last softball tournament of the season - 2nd place.

4th of July at the Sprague's Firworks Extravaganza

Midnight July 15 - in line for the premier of the Harry Potter finale

My grandmother's lawn chair - now a lawn ornament in my yard

Self portrait - the iPhone takes photos backwards too!

A thistle flower

David - being David

David and Lucy

Public Service Announcement

Attention all God-fearing men...please add this to the list of questions you should NEVER ask a woman:

"Did you put on some of that fake tanning stuff, or are your feet just dirty?"

Seriously. I cannot make this stuff up.

A Whole Lot of Catching Up to Do

What the heck happened to the last three months?! When I got off the plane from D.C., I think I must have stepped onto a hyperspace time machine that has fast-forwarded my life. I vaguely remember some pretty significant events - almost too many to list in one blog post, but here are the highlights:

1. A birthday. Mine. I turned 52. Ugh.
2. A Joint Commission survey at work. Major stress.
3. An Easter performance. Hannah danced.
4. Attending softball games dressed in winter coats and wrapped in blankets.
5. Begging, pleading, and bribing one said 18-year-old in order to get the necessary work done to meet the requirements for high school graduation.
6. A trip to Las Vegas for work.
7. Attending softball games dressed in rain ponchos and hanging onto umbrellas for dear life.
8. Another Joint Commission visit. Even more stress.
9. Piano recital and band concert. The addition of a tenor sax to Hannah's musical repertoire.
10. More begging and pleading. And to be brutally honest, some hefty "assistance" with the completion of one composition class.
11. Darrin and McKenna's one year wedding anniversary (Can it possibly be a year already?)
12. Attending softball games dressed in shorts and tank tops.
13. David's GRADUATION!

14. Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City (Yes, more softball!)

15. Sandbagging around Warren and Sarah's home in preparation for the 'Revenge of the Missouri River' flooding.

16. Our 32nd wedding anniversary. Good Lord, how can that be?!
17. Dad's 16th cardioversion.
18. Graduation Open House.

Wow! By anyone's standards, that is a full spring! No wonder the blog has taken a back seat.

In the midst of all of this chaos, I've done some reflecting. As John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I'm afraid I've been all too guilty of worrying so much about "the next thing" that I miss the joy in the moment I'm in. So here are some of the things that didn't make the list above that, in hindsight, have contributed to some moments worth mentioning.

1. A new iPhone - I really like the silly thing, even if it is - as Al puts it - "a short leash." It has opened music up to me again in a way I haven't experienced since the days of cassette tapes. And did you know you can read books on an iPhone? IF you have functional eyes, that is.
2. A long walk (actually, more than one) to clear my head after one of many conflicts with Al, Brent, or David. Sometimes I feel like I can't say anything right, so a long walk and a bit of prayer is my self-therapy. And this helps too (taken with the iPhone mentioned above.)
3. Hannah's rendition of Over the Rainbow on piano. She's actually very good, and this is one of my all-time favorites.
4. Cute little Scotty McCreery winning American Idol. Even though I don't really like country music, I'm going to keep an eye on that one. I'm guessing he will be a big country star someday soon.
5. Darrin taking James Winterbottom under his wing and playing some wonderful guitar duets at David's graduation open house. James and David waited together for the bus on the first day of kindergarten, and every first day of school since. James' mother, Cyndi, was there with her camera and I think I saw a tear in her eye. Definitely a moment.
6. Darrin leading the DTC band as they opened for someone more famous (even though I have forgotten his name!) They were hands down better than the famous guy. 

7. A conversation with Brent during which he actually demonstrated some insight into where his life needs to go. I praised God so hard for this glimmer of hope that I thought I would burst!
8. A night out with Dad, watching the seniors dance the night away to big band music. They put me to shame, and gave me something to look forward to. (Do I see a music theme going here?)

Hopefully now that summer is half over and some of the frenzy has slowed just a bit, I can keep up with the blog a little better. Hopefully.

DC Trip

It's been just over a day since Hannah and I returned from our trip to Washington DC. I was the trip nurse for around 80 7th graders and 20 adults. I'm just bursting with things I want to record about this trip - impressions, sights, events, people. So I want to get just a few things down before memories fade and I am thrust back into the reality of every day life. So here are a few impressions, in no particular order:

Size - I was surprised by the sheer enormity of many of the buildings in our nation's capitol. Pictures gave me a sense of the grandness of these structures, but I wasn't prepared for the size. The Pentagon, for example, could fit the Capitol Building into any one of its five sides! And the Capitol is no dinky building!!

Honor - I've never really thought much about memorials - monuments and statues that remember some important person or event. But the memorials I visited in DC - the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, the Marines Memorial, the Washington Monument and many others are incredible structures that command reverence and elicit emotion. No expense was spared, no detail forgotten in the creation of these magnificant memorials. There is incredible meaning in these memorials, and I came away from each of them with a deeper sense of appreciation for those who are honored by them.



The WWII Memorial - Atlantic side.  Note the size of the people on the left.



The Lincoln Memorial



The Vietnam War Memorial


























Footsteps - I don't know how else to say it, but there is something significant about knowing that I have walked the same path, or touched the same object, as important people before me. Walking to the balcony at Ford's Theater by the same staircase that Abraham Lincoln would have ascended on the last day of his life; touching the same stair railing at Mount Vernon that George Washington would have held as he went up to bed each night, and standing in the same room at the White House that President Obama just addressed the nation from a few minutes ago.



The White House



The Presidential Box at Ford's Theater

 


























George and Martha Washington's Tomb

Beauty - I keep returning to the architecture, but there is simply no way to overstate the beauty of these magnificant buildings.

The ceiling of the Capitol Rotunda

The portico at Union Station



The Library of Congress





















Sacrifice - Everywhere we went, we were reminded of the truth that freedom is not free. Four of our students were privileged to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, which was an incredibly moving ceremony.

Nurses - There are many reminders of the unsung role that nurses have played in our nation's freedom. I am proud to be in such a noble profession.

At the Nurses' Memorial

Patriotism - No matter what your political persuasions, you can't help feeling patriotic after spending time in our nation's capitol. The evidence of our forefather's hard work to establish a very different type of government is everywhere. The reminders of what this nation has cost so many ignite a sense of pride along with a hefty dose of humility. We are blessed beyond measure.

Fun  - Finally, remember that this was a 7th grade, spring break trip. I'm certain that the impressions recorded above were not shared by all of my 12 and 13-year-old friends. I can only hope that as they mature, the memories of this trip will take on deeper meaning. I know that Gary and Jan Busby, Junior High teachers who have coordinated this trip over over 20 years, believe that. I was impressed by the teachers who served as chaparones on the trip. They love 7th graders, and believe me, 7th graders are not always easy to love! I was fortunate that nobody got seriously ill on the trip. There was a steady stream of headaches and stomach aches, but generally nothing a couple of Advil or Tums couldn't handle. And lastly, it was a great time for me to see what a great young woman Hannah is. She was kind to all of the kids, no matter what social circle they were part of. She was generally well behaved (OK, a little silly now and then), and I was very proud of her. Actually, I was pretty proud of all the kids. We didn't lose anyone, and with 80 kids that's no small success.