2014 Whirl Wind

Here it is 2015 and I am catching up on my events and thoughts from the past year.

     I started 2014 with a new job as a Nurse Practitioner in the Primary Care Department at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New Mexico.  What an amazing opportunity. To be a veteran and serve veterans is unique. Having insights and a shared experience and language is such a positive way to help make an impact on patients.  I have to admit I was probably a funny site: tall, pregnant, woman veteran (OIF & OEF) on a mission to improve the health of my fellow veterans. However, I jumped in and learned a lot.  Not only about the VA system as a medical provider, but also how to help my fellow veterans navigate the “system” to get great health care.

     In addition to starting a new job I completed my training in the Emerge program. Emerge is an organization that promotes diversity in politics by developing support for Democratic Women. It works by identifying, training and encouraging women to run for office, getting elected and seeking higher office. The training is a cohort-based seven-month training program. I met so many amazing, and talented women leaders. It was great to share the perspective of being a women, veteran and nurse practitioner with other leaders in our community.  Now that I am done with training I am developing a plan for what I need to do to run for office.   We need more nurses and Nurse Practitioners in leadership roles in our community and that includes political positions that influence and build our community.

     2014 was also the 25^th Anniversary for CLNkids(also known as Cuidando Los Ninos).  Our 25^th Anniversary Celebration was amazing. With the help from generous donors and Alpha Bravo Events  we were able to not only ensure that all tickets and proceeds went to CLNKids but we raised $16000. Even more exciting, that increased visibility in the community made our Christmas Fundraiser a huge success and we raised $58,000.  It has been a busy year. As Board President not only do I manage the executive committee, but I attend the finance committee (to maintain our budget and ensure fiscal responsibility), the advocacy committee, and anniversary planning committee.  I am not sure where I found the time, but I think the success was due to our event planner, amazing staff and our board members.  I love working with motivated, dedicated and engaging individuals. It makes everything easier.

     With all those activities I am not sure we could have added anything else in my life. However, life happens and now I can add being a mom to my list.  Our daughter was born in June and my life has been changed in so many ways. I changed everything to be more efficient with my time and be able to spend as much time as possible with her.  Mountain Man has also shown me his “dad” side. He really is an amazing man in so many ways.  It is often the little things I notice when I get home that just make me smile. The other morning after I fed baby girl and was headed off to work he said “I have noticed she likes to wear a sweater in the morning” right before dressing her . Or the other day when I came home to find him vacuuming the floor with baby sitting in the REI Baby Backpack on his shoulders laughing and giggling as he cleaned our home. I love being a mom and still being able to support my community. And now I get teach this to my daughter and hopefully show her the values I have through my own actions.  

2015 is the year of the mom-veteran-nurse practitioner for me. I hope everyone remembers that in everything you do you are always more than just a nurse or a mom or a friend. You are all of those things and more.

Moving Forward

Sunday, March 2, 2014

6:40 PM

The New Year has brought with it gained perspective.  Last year was a whirl wind of actives. Helping AWV , getting married, becoming President of the Board of Directors for CuidandoLos Niños, traveling to Ecuador and last but definitely not least learning about a new addition to our family.

All of these events have taught me a few things. First is love and be loved. I have always looked up to my friends who are married and who seem to still have that special love even after several years. My goal is to maintain that love with my Mountain Man. This year as we add our first addition to our family, I will make sure our priority is growing and loving together.

The second lesson  involves how we view the world.  I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world. Each place I visit brings with it beauty and respect for other cultures. Ecuador was no different.  I loved the hill-side homes, splendid views, parks, waterfalls and markets selling various treasures.  I cherished the fact that I could travel with my husband and that he too has that adventurous spirit. While it was wonderful to have this opportunity to explore this year, at the end of the day, the most beautiful sight in the world is the sunset I see every day in New Mexico.

The next lesson is one in responsibility and leadership. One thing I know about myself is I tend to keep a full plate. At times I take on more responsibility than I should.  And sometimes individuals take advantage of my time.  What I learned was if you have an opportunity for growth and a mentor helps by encouraging and fostering that growth  you will not feel as though your time is being taken advantage of. Luckily for me when I accepted the responsibility of Board President I had the support of not only the outgoing President but also our Executive Director. Both are amazing women who inspire and keep me motivated.

Moving on into this new year I have decided to work towards some personal goals. I have always preferred a life of service and ultimately I think a goal of serving my community as a leader is the next step. I was selected for the Emerge Program here in New Mexico  for the 2014 class.  I can't wait to learn and be inspired by other like-minded leaders in my community. And always remember we are all more than Just a Nurse.

To all those who inspire me: thank you from my soul.