A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new – Albert Einstein, Theoretical physicist (1879-1955)
All life is an experiment, the more experiments you make the better – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist (1803-1882)
Back in the 2000’s I wrote a few short stories published in short story books. Since I mentioned a few New Year’s Resolutions last week, I thought I’d share an excerpt about my friend Margaret. Margaret was born into a Mennonite family. She was schooled through the eighth grade. She married a Mennonite man and they had a son. Margaret worked hard cleaning houses, schooling their son, and other projects. One day she told her husband she wanted to go back to school. He wasn’t sure it would work out but they discussed it. She wanted to be a nurse. She reminded him she had taken care of people her whole life. He explained she’d need the GED, there would be sciences, a medical exam, vaccinations. Margaret made an appointment with the doctor who said, “You’re going back to school? Good luck.” Margaret said to herself, “Luck has nothing to do with it.” Margaret worked harder than she ever had. She earned additional scholarships, joined the nursing club, sold magazines, made cookies for bake sales just like the other students. She also found a young friend. A friend that sheltered her when others teased her. Margaret earned her GED; she earned another certification. Margaret was now a licensed practical nurse. She did it! After graduation she received several job offers. She had considerable experience in taking care of people, raising a child, managing a home and a reputation for being trustworthy and dependable.
Margaret took a job at a medical clinic. When she got her first check she couldn’t wait to show her husband. For days she wouldn’t even cash the check, she just looked at it. Her husband laughed and told her how proud he was. Margaret started getting job offers after offer. Each job brought more pay and better working conditions, then one day she got a special job that was too good to turn down.
Margaret started the job walking through the employee entrance, put her things away, washed her hands, straightened her uniform, covered her hair, and reported to duty. The Dr. greeted Margaret “Hello Margaret. I’m looking forward to working with you.” Margaret returned the greeting. Then she reached for the first patient’s chart and walked confidently into the examining room.
Margaret shared her story with me almost 20 years ago. She’s retired since those days. I run into Margaret now and then. She and her husband are still healthy and happy. Their son, well as children do, he got married, moved away, and the couple have a child.
I’ll ever admire Margaret for her dedication and her desire to become a licensed practical nurse. She never stepped back, she never quit, she never gave up, though the process would be long and difficult she forged ahead determined, persistent, and relentless.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
