• Home
  • BOOK SHOP
    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
  • BLOGS
    • mar's Desk
    • Inspiration Station
    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
  • Contact Me
  marcoujor's musings

mar's Desk

​This multi-topic blog publishes weekly on Wednesdays.
Thank you for the visit and please enjoy the reading.

Home

On the Fall Train

12/16/2014

28 Comments

 
Picture
This fall semester has been both busy and dizzy for me.  As I look back over my calendar, in seven different classes I have met and taught a total of 48 amazing men and women.

I taught Leadership in Nursing to ten nurses working on their B.S.N. degree; and I had six clinical rotations in behavioral health nursing with the others, studying to take their RN boards in May, 2015. 

Feeling especially blessed, each of these students were both exceptional and unique, despite the universal threads of compassion, kindness and sensitivity.  Amazingly, each of my seven groups gave me a card with individual notes of appreciation for the time we spent together.  

These words from the heart are forever treasures to me--honestly, more valuable than a paycheck. Here is just one example:

You are a born teacher. You did not just teach us a lesson for eight weeks. You taught us a life time lesson. We may or may never see you again physically, but you will always be present in our minds. May God forever bless you and your family.

Thank You.                                                                                                                     

Recently a dear friend sent me an e-mail called "Life is a Journey" which, in turn, I'd like to share with you...

Life is like a journey on a train, with its stations, with changes of routes, and with accidents!

We board this train when we are born and our parents are the ones who get our ticket.

We believe they will always travel on this train with us.

However, at some station our parents will get off the train, leaving us alone on this journey.

As time goes by, other passengers will board the train, many of whom will be significant - our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.

Many will get off during the journey and leave a permanent vacuum in our lives.

Many will go so unnoticed that we won't even know when they vacated their seats and got off the train!

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, good-byes, and farewells.

A good journey is helping, loving, having a good relationship with all co-passengers, and making sure that we give our best to make their journey comfortable.

The mystery of this fabulous journey is, we do not know at which station we ourselves are going to get off.

So, we must live in the best way--adjust, forget, forgive and offer the best of what we have.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to leave our seat, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

Thank you for being one of the important passengers on my train.


Don't know when my station will come. Don't want to miss saying, "Thank you!"

anonymous

And as I think back over this busy, dizzy, but ever so fulfilling semester of preparing nurses to take excellent care of their patients, I will focus on living in the best way (I can)--adjusting, forgetting, forgiving and offering the best of what I have as I look ahead to the spring batch of students.

Before I go, there's an excellent book review in Tuesday's edition of the Pumpkin Run Pulse titled: God's Playbook by Kevin O. Kruise and Kim Kruise Thompson. I've been a fan of Kim Thompson's work for several years now. This book is a story she wrote with her brother, Kevin, and is a great read, especially for the holidays, showcasing their combined talent. 


Also, please pop over to see Vicki Warner's latest edition of From Loss to Living, titled What are our Children Learning? It's another one arriving just in time for the holidays and will give you some quality information to consider..


Wishing you all peace in these busy days as everyone prepares for Christmas.

See you next Wednesday. 

Hugs,

mar

28 Comments
Shauna L Bowling link
12/17/2014 12:39:32 am

Mar, you leave an impression on the lives of all who are fortunate to know you. From students, to friends, and family, you are well-loved.

Thank you for this beautiful and inspirational read.

Merry Christmas to you, Geoff, and Mr. Andy!

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:00:32 pm

Dear Sha,
I love this comment and love you more...wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas too. Hugs, Maria

Reply
Vicki
12/17/2014 12:51:34 am

Dear Maria,
Loved "Life is a Journey"! So true, and something we need to remember ever single day. Many thanks for the mention of my Christmas story too. You are a great friend and obviously deserve the accolades you receive from your students.
Thank you for your inspiration in my life.
May your home and all its lovely inhabitants be blessed this Christmas.
Love and Hugs, Vicki

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:04:17 pm

Dear Vicki,

Thanks for taking time at this very busy time ...to leave such a lovely comment. Your friendship motivates and grounds me at the same time - a much needed balance for me. Love and hugs, Maria

Reply
Lois W. Stern link
12/17/2014 01:03:51 am

Why am I NOT surprised to read such heartfelt comments about you as a teacher, Maria, as well as a friend! You certainly are one who got off that train and headed in the right direction without a pause. God bless you!

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:09:46 pm

Dear Lois,
What a thrill to see a comment from you...You are a true inspiration and I am looking forward to more writing and marketing adventures with Tales2Inspire in 2015...
I know many folks on this comment stream are avid lovers of The Ruby Collection, and why the heck wouldn't they be - the book is awesome...!!
Wishing you joyous days with your loved ones and hugs, Maria

Reply
femmeflashpoint link
12/17/2014 01:37:11 am

Good morning to mar's Desk peeps and the rest of the Weeblyhood!

Like Lois, I'm not even a tiny bit surprised at your students' estimation and appreciation of you. You're like that glow in ET's chest, giving folks the warm fuzzies and inspiring them to learn new things and reach for new horizons.

Amen to the poem. It's an excellent inclusion of your own for the holidays on mar's Desk. I loved it and you know how I am with poetry ... ☺

femme

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:37:57 pm

Dear femme,

OMG, I have never been compared to the glow in ET's chest...and I have to say, I love it...

...and I certainly do know how you are with poetry so thanks a bunch - and SA too... :) Love and hugs, mar

Reply
kimmie
12/17/2014 02:02:14 am

Good morning sweet friend
I so loved the Train poem/analogy comparing to our journey through life...we surely do not know when our journey is done nor when we will hear the words "all aboard"...and meeting new and wonderful people.

I have no doubt you are such a gift to all your nursing students. I wish I could have sat under your teaching care when I became a nurse. You teach the most important thing of all and that is compassion.

Thank you for thinking of Kevin and I and sharing our book. I pray it blesses those who read it....life with all its twists and turns...good and bad.

Merry Christmas Maria.
Love you dearly
Kimmie

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:42:33 pm

Dear Kimmie,

Thanks for such a sweet comment... I would love one day to co-teach with nurses like you, Gail, Ruby, Pam...that would be one compassionate class room indeed.

Merry Christmas to you, Roy and family too, dear friend.

Reply
Mike
12/17/2014 04:47:05 am

Good morning mar. Your students give you the best kinds of gifts. They tell you that you have meant much to them of their personal journeys. I found the train analogy interesting and could relate to it. Kimmie's early story 'Train to Nowhere' came to mind. 'God's Playbook' is an exceptional story and she recently made available 'Within My Heart' in a paperback edition.

Classes are finished for my daughter and she is relieved to have a break. I am guessing you share her feelings in this regard.

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:48:05 pm

Dear Mike,
Glad you found some value to this post. I've placed an order for an autograph copy of 'Within My Heart' for myself and a couple friends, greatly looking forward to anything written by Kimmie. I totally share your daughter's feelings, btw. Thanks for the visit. Hugs, mar

Reply
Car51
12/17/2014 05:13:06 am

Trains are a significant means of transportation, as you well know! Glad you enjoyed the semester! Take time during the break to do something special for YOU!

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:51:58 pm

Yes, Car51, it's as if trains run in my blood...and I am wishing you some YOU time at this Yuletide as well.

Reply
Martie link
12/17/2014 05:14:44 am

Dear Mar, just for the record: In my train you are a VIP.

So easy to believe that you have made a lasting positive impression on all your students, as you are making it on all of us. After enjoying your love and support for almost 4 years online, I can't imaging life without you.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and yours :)

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:56:01 pm

Oh dear Martie,

And you are a VIP on my train as well...and instrumental in this post, as you were like the 'conductor' (LOL)!

I cannot imagine a day without you either...four years seems impossible to believe when we have 40 more to go... Love and hugs, mar

Reply
Theresa
12/17/2014 08:29:14 am

Dear Maria,

I have been so blessed to be a passenger with you on this train called life, as it has been a beautiful journey getting to know and love you for the past couple of years. I have no doubt that all of your students will never forget you and will tap into the life's lessons you shared when it comes time for them to care for another's life with compassion and kindness.

Kimmie and Vicki are stellar writers without a doubt!

I look forward to stopping by here each Wednesday to see what wonderful insight you have to share to bless all who read.

I am in agreement with Car51, in that I am hoping you take time out to do something special just for YOU too!

Merry Christmas to you, Geoff and Sweet Andy Boy!

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 01:59:18 pm

Dear Theresa,

This is such a sweet and thoughtful comment and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so happy to be a passenger on this life train with you as well. Love you and hugs, Maria

Reply
Ruby link
12/17/2014 09:33:47 am

Dear Mar,
I loved reading the fall train, and could relate so well. Starting at birth, we travel a journey with family and people we meet along the way. We gain some and we lose some. We have our high's and low's, hopefully more highs than lows. I'm sure your student's will never forget you, I know I won't. I bought Kim's book, ' God's playbook ' it's a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing fall train and thank you for being my friend. Take some time to rest and have a wonderful Christmas...
Love, Ruby

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 02:03:25 pm

Dear Ruby,

There is much wisdom and insight in your remarks. Thanks for your visit, your support and friendship of Kim and her writing and your loving friendship to me. Merry Christmas to you too. Love, mar

Reply
Pamela Oglesby
12/17/2014 11:30:48 am

I really enjoyed this article. The comparison of life's journey with the train was inspiring. We all have our wonderful good times, and we all have times with problems. Reading uplifting articles like this one makes me happy to think of you as a friend that is wise and so giving.

Have a very, Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Love,
Pam

Reply
Maria link
12/17/2014 02:07:40 pm

Dear Pam,

So wonderful to see you and hope you are continuing to feel better.
I look forward to continued inspiration and friendship from you in 2015. Merry Christmas to you as well. Love, Maria

Reply
Sannel link
12/18/2014 01:30:11 am

Dear Maria,
I'm not a bit surprised hearing the love and admiration that your students have for you. You're well-loved of all who are blessed to know you. You, my sweet friend will not get of that train unnoticed, because your footprints will forever leave beautiful and most treasured imprints in our hearts and in this world.
Thank you for sharing "Life is a Journey" with us. It's a beautiful and wise comparison to life. I read 'God's Playbook' a while back and it's a most wonderful and excellent read.
Enjoy your well-deserved break.
A Very Merry Christmas to you, Geoff and the dapper Mr. Andy.
My love and hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
12/18/2014 01:02:23 pm

Dear Sannel,

So great to see you...Your comments are sweet and very much appreciated. I'm not surprised that you also loved 'God's Playbook'.

Love, hugs and a Merry Christmas to you, Maria

Reply
Gail Sobotkin
12/21/2014 10:09:36 am

Dear Maria,
As always, I am so proud of all you've accomplished. This past fall really tested your limits, but I must say you magnificently rose to the challenge and have obviously truly touched the lives of your amazing students.
Thanks for sharing this lovely update, and for sharing the touching, "Life if a Journey," email.
I've got the Kindle version of God's Playbook and am looking forward to reading it.
Love, Hugs & Blessings,
Gail

Reply
Maria link
12/21/2014 01:24:01 pm

Dear Gail,

Thanks for stopping by with such a warm and supportive comment.

I know you will enjoy reading Kimmie's book, as I did, my friend.

Sending you hugs and love this Sunday night, Maria

Reply
Peg Bossert
12/24/2014 08:44:40 pm

Mar,
My train is still chugging along. What a neat read that was. You are a great teacher. You nurture us to be better people by helping us care for ourselves. I hope our paths will cross again. have a blessed Christmas and a healthy 2015.

Peg
PS still not journaling lol

Reply
Maria link
1/7/2015 12:23:23 am

Dear Peg,

How wonderful to see you here...I love that you are chugging along in such a glorious manner in the greatest profession of the world - NURSING. I am so proud of you and wishing you a fulfilling and energizing 2015................

even if you aren't writing a journal, you rascal! All the best, Maria

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    The Web Only Your Site

    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

    I am a work in progress, so a rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected every week!

    Pull up a comfy chair and make yourself at home.

    Thank you,

    mar  



    Archives

    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Thanks for Sharing!

    Popular Posts

    On Schizophrenia
    For the Love of Reading
    Kindness Does Not Discriminate
    A Healthy Recipe for a Balanced Life
    Playing the Game of Life
    Behind the Scenes at the Carriage Driver
    Remembering Mary
    How Wonderful
    The Legend of David Bowie
    Resolutions & Revelations
    The Gift of Life in Death
    The Charitable Spirit
    I Recommend
    The Magic of Soul Music
    Thanksgiving Leftovers
    ​Musings on Gratitude
    ​Perfection and Peace
    ​Everlasting Memories
    Adele Saying ''Hello''
    My Hero: Bruce Castor
    The Happiness Habit
    What Matters
    My Health Coach
    Vanity Views
    ​Just a Nurse
    ​Today is a Gift
    Everybody Hurts
    Bathroom Blues
    TIPS on Writing
    Self-Love or Selfish... ?
    The Power of Feedback
    A Balancing Act
    From Alphabets to Artichokes
    Findings on Finger-Labyrinths
    "Tell me a story, Kimmie..."
    Lessons of the Heart
    Sharing a Melody
    The Pleasure of Polarities
    The Ocean and Everything
    Letter to Sunshine
    Take Care of Yourself
    HOME
    GIFT SHOP
    AD SERVICES & SPONSORS
    BLOGS
    CONTACT ME
    I Recommend...
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • BOOK SHOP
    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
  • BLOGS
    • mar's Desk
    • Inspiration Station
    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
  • Contact Me