Awesome Thing #7: Sharing a Giggle Fit

It's a slow  and uneventful tour that has been filled with mindless trips to DI (Diagnostic Imaging, aka, CT scans, Xrays and Ultrasounds <oh my>).  Mindless because most of these patients are more like clients. They need a stretcher, diesel and PR with a smile more than they need medical intervention. Some sleep, some talk on their cell phone, some will debate religion and politics with you and some. . .well, some are just a little. . ."off".

So there's you and your partner, standing in yet another hallway. You look left, you look right, you look up at the ceiling tiles, you look down and think you should polish your boots. You think about what you need to get done on your days off. You wonder if you're going to get a decent call before the end of shift, heck, you wonder if you'll get out of the hallway before the end of shift. You look at your slightly "off" patient sitting on the stretcher playing with her iPhone. Then back to your boots, check your phone, walk to the end of the hallway, look around for anyone you know, walk back and start the whole process over again. Then -

"THIS IS SUCH A HARD GAME!" exclaims your patient.

Your eyes lock on this "hard game" that has your patient leaning forward intently with her index finger whipping lines around the screen of the iPhone making zig-zag lines that demolish pieces of fruit that float across the screen.

You lean back against the wall and feel the tiny little bubbles of laughter inside your head that make you tense up the corners of your mouth to better convey to your client that you understand their frustration. But then your eyes start to water just a tiny bit and you bite your lip and drop your head to hide the grin that's spreading across your face. You would have been okay, just little more teeth-to-lip pressure and you'd be able to carry on as though this zig-zag-fruit-killing-game was the chess match of the century.

But no, you make the mistake of lifting your head and glancing at your partner. You make eye-contact and you quickly realize your mistake and close your eyes as you feel the grin once again spread across your face and the hiccup of a giggle in your throat. You open your eyes and see your partner again and you both know that you are giggling inside about the same thing.

And the thing about giggles is that they love company.

But this is not the time or place - which of course makes it all the more funny and soon you are both vibrating with stifled chortles and deep intakes of breath to try and squash the higher pitched little laughs. Finally, to put an end to the madness you surrender, turn your back on your partner and go for a little walk down the hallway to get back your serious zig-zag-fruit-killing composure, knowing that in a few hours you and your partner are going to get back into your ambulance sans patient and have a full out roar of laughter.

And that? That is AWESOME!

"Make my Day"

I feel that God has put it in my heart to write about this right now - I think this because I can’t seem to fall asleep, so I figured God wants me to put this to paper now. I’m thinking about how every day we have a free gift that we can give to other people. Well, maybe not free, because we may have to put our own wishes or feelings or problems aside in order to give it I suppose. But it’s free, as in you won’t have to go the store to search and pay for it, type of free. 

I didn't really have a picture for this post.
But she's cute - so she'll do.

Every day, we have the power to make someone’s day - or at least a part of their day. Seriously! I think we are totally under-valuing this power. Just think about it - you can affect someone else’s life for the better every. single. day. You can even do it numerous times a day. 

Sadly, I didn’t really figure this out until last summer when I had my revelation of sorts. But now that I have realized this power I feel I have a responsibility to give this gift and I enjoy the feeling I get in return from giving it. I also feel shame on the days when I could have chosen to give this gift but didn’t because I was in a bad mood, or was preoccupied by thoughts and worries or because I was being selfish or because I wasn’t feeling well. Why? Because it would have only taken me a pittance of time, of focus, of love and caring to do it. 

Now I’m not talking about being a saint, or a martyr or any of those overwhelming words. I just mean taking a small amount of time to touch someone’s day. Like asking how the cashier’s day is going and doing it with sincerity. Being brave enough to compliment a stranger when it strikes you. Smiling at people - just smiling because why the heck not? Pausing to give directions, and when it looks like they don’t get it, taking a few moments longer to write them down, and when they still seem unsure, taking a few moments longer to let them follow you in your vehicle as you lead them. How about tipping your waitress a bit more than usual, even if she didn’t do an extraordinary job. One special thing that has always made my day is when I’m in the drive-thru for an ice cap and when I pull up to the window to pay they give me my drink and tell me that the people ahead of me already paid for it with the message “have a good day” or “pay it forward”. All these small things that have the potential to make someone feel better about the confusing world we live in - even if it’s only for a few minutes. 

I am fortunate that I work in a field where I get to interact with people every day. I’m trying to realize that I have the privilege of making someone feel better, even if it’s not necessarily with medicine. How I enter the room, whether it’s an emergency or a simple transfer, can set the tone for the patient’s entire experience. If I can come in with positive energy, a reassuring smile, introduce myself and ask with sincerity how they are feeling today I believe I can really improve that patient’s situation. If I can try my best to create a rapport with my patient and really listen to them then they might leave me feeling refreshed - the same way I feel refreshed after having a really good conversation with someone. If I can use my small stature, little voice, bubbly-ness and a dose of humility to get a chuckle out of a patient then that should be the least I can do for them.

Then why is it so hard to do that sometimes? When I’m having a less-than-stellar day it can just seem like people are so annoying or mean or stupid or clueless! I don’t really want to look at them, much less try and make their day better. I just want to focus on me. I’m trying to remember that when I’m having one of these less-than-stellar days, I’m at risk for the less-than-stellar part of my nature to negatively impact my friendships, my family, my coworkers, my patients, etc. There are times, when I’m in one of those moods, all that it takes is another person just trying to better my day in a small way. Sometimes that’s enough to snap me out of it. I’m also learning that often it takes more.

I remember when I was about half-way through final practicum I came to my site for the beginning of my shift knowing that I was in a miserable mood. I had a really good site, and a really good preceptor and had been fortunate that up until that day I’d been a pleasant and easy-going student that was well-liked by the staff. But that evening, as I was alone doing the routine check of the ambulance I knew that I was grouchy, and that I could not afford to be grouchy when my paramedic future was riding on this practicum. So there, as I sat in the airway chair staring at a bag full of drugs for what felt like the gazillionth time I tried something I hadn’t done before. I prayed to God to take away my wretchedness and replace it with his grace. You might think this is silly, but for me I realized it as a miracle right away because just then, two staff members walked in and instead of shutting them out or being curt with them, God gave me a warm heart and sincerity in my speech and we were soon laughing over one of many outrageous stories you would only hear on an ambulance. If God can grant me that when I ask, then I need to be asking more often. 

The other thing I need to be doing more often is telling people when they have blessed me. I just think, if I knew when I was really making a difference in someone’s day I think I might be all the more motivated to try to be a blessing to others. I should tell the waitress that she made my day when she remembered my “usual” even though I hadn’t been there in months. I should tell the sales representative that I really appreciated that they went the extra mile to help me get that deal. I need to take the time to sincerely return the thanks that patients will sometimes give for my service in this industry, instead of just brushing it off as “no big deal”. You should know that when you take the time to comment on this blog it encourages me to keep writing. I want to tell my work partner that when he indulges me in one of our deeper conversations it is often the best conversation that I have all week. I want those people that think to invite me to their home for dinner, or to a volleyball game to know that I look forward to it every time and being part of the family means so much to me. I’m only just beginning to fathom the power we have to be a blessing to other people. I hope you see it too!

“If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires”

-Horace Traubel

Painting Words

It's already April 20 and I haven't posted anything this month. It's not because I've lost interest, not in the least. I have stared at this blog nearly every day this month and I have a few rough drafts sitting on my desktop as we speak. The thing is, they're really big thoughts. Big thoughts need time to mature or they can get out of control. They require discussion with friends, prayers with God and a big dose of "what am I trying to say?" reflection before they are put to paper, or keyboard, or what have you.

 I'm a big believer that words are powerful, that they have the potential to hold an almost magical quality and as such should be handled with responsibility.  I also believe that writing is a form of art. If you saw a painting with a cow in the foreground, with a bottle of laundry detergent, while a British soldier played with a hula hoop and in the background was a row of adobe houses and a Christmas tree you'd probably be confused. You'd likely have no idea what the artist was trying to evoke. Plus it would be ugly. Very ugly.

So until I produce a Monet, here are a couple of big thoughts wrapped in small packages.

Simple Gluten-Free: Pretty Pink Strawberry Icing Cupcakes

I know that there are people who get all kinds of anxious when they know I'm coming to their home. Why? Because they don't know what to feed me. Where I am hospitality is a big part of life but for some the thought of creating a gluten-free meal or snack is overwhelming. People are afraid that they'll inadvertently contaminate something, or that it won't taste good, or that it's just too difficult. I try to give these people a few simple guidelines.

1. I come for the company; not for the food: Seriously, food is not high on the list of things that excite me. I am one of those people that will literally forget to eat. I am more interested in good conversation and laughs than what's being served.

2. You will not kill me: I am usually the one that inadvertently poisons myself because I'm being lazy. If I get contaminated it's my own fault for not asking more questions or checking labels. And even if I'm contaminated it does not always necessarily equal physical illness and if it does, oh well, I'll have to be more careful next time. 

3. Gfree can be simple. Meat, vegetables, fruits and most dairy are gluten free. Simple, old-fashioned meals are usually gluten free meals or can be made to be easily. 

4. I don't expect any extra effort to be made on my behalf and I am very appreciative of any effort that is.

On that note - this is not really a food blog. However, I thought I might post a few things that I make gluten-free that are as simple as it can get. 

Golden Cupcakes with 

Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing

These are simple because I am going to tell you to bypass all those recipes that require three different kinds of exotic flours and go to a grocery store and get some Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Golden Cake mix. Exotic flour recipes are good; but they can be unpredictable sometimes and require a few tries to get it right. I think if you want to make something yummy for your gluten-free friend or family member, Betty Crocker is the way to go. 

This particular mix will require three large eggs, two teaspoons of vanilla extract (make sure it's g-free, the common Club House brand is as off 2012 at least), 1/2 cup of butter and 2/3 cup of water. That's all on the back of the box.

This is probably the best gluten-free cake mix I have come across. They come out of the oven after 20 mins a beautiful colour and a nicely rounded top. 

Once the cupcakes are cool it's time for the icing. You will need:

250 g of cream cheese (softened)

1/4 cup of butter (softened)

Half cup of cut up fresh strawberries

3 or more cups of icing sugar

1. Wash and cut up your strawberries. It's not an exact science. You need about a half cup or a bit more of strawberries that have been cut up into a size that your electric hand mixer can manage to beat to a pulp. Put them aside.

2. Soften up your butter and cream cheese together in the microwave (40 seconds) throw into a mixing bowl and cream it together with the mixer. 

3. Gradually add a cup of icing sugar at a time. I usually add in the strawberries before the third cup of icing sugar. This turns the icing to the pretty pink colour! No food dyes necessary.

4. You can add in icing sugar to get the consistency you desire. I'm not a huge fan of gritty, stiff icings so I tend to leave mine more on the pudding-like side of the spectrum. But add your sugar as you see fit. Then you can either pipe the icing on each adorable little cupcake or take a knife and slather it on. 

These simple cupcakes took less than an hour to make and they are stress and gluten-free. I hope yours taste as good as mine! 

How is Your Courage?

"How is your courage?"

Since coming to my community and church I have learned a number of new words, phrases and terms that now grace my vocabulary. Out of all of them this my favourite.

To break it down even further I would say that the words "discouragement" and "courage" have changed my perspective on life. A strong statement for two words I realize, but I'm an English major - I'm allowed to have these kind of epiphanies.

I believe that discouragement is a positive word. We tend to use dramatic words with such finality when we're dissatisfied with our life circumstances. Sad, upset, depressed, angry, mad, hurt, resentful. Not that these feelings aren't warranted at times but I wonder if maybe we give these negative feelings far too much power by defining them all the time. After all, they are just feelings. Feelings come and go and are very biased to the situation or person they relate to.

To me, "discouraged" describes a state where you have demonstrated that you have courage, but something has happened that has made you forget that courage, suppress your courage or lose your courage. I think "discouragement" is a positive word because if you can acknowledge that you're simply feeling discouraged then the solution is easy! Go get more courage!

I don't know where to get "happy" or where to get "satisfaction" or "justification" but I know where to go to get courage.

First, you can find courage in the core of your being. It is something you can make a habit of self-producing. It can never be fully taken away away from you - you can just make more. You utilize your core courage by making conscious decisions about how you want to handle your discouraging circumstance. Each little decision to press forward, despite the circumstances increases your courage.

Secondly, courage can be given to you by your friends and family. It's a gift. Sometimes it's a few words, or a long talk, a hug or just their support. You might need this first before you can even find your intrinsic core courage factory. Having friends and family that can give you this gift is invaluable.

However, the most valuable place to go find yourself some new courage is in the Bible. Seriously! If you're not inclined to believe me then I don't know what else to tell you. . .good luck I guess? Did you know that God tells us to be strong and of good courage about 25 times in the Old Testament alone?And most of those times he is making a promise to see us through and lead us.


"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:5-7


God spends a lot of time throughout the whole book trying to reassure us that He is with us, will never leave us, and has a plan for us. He is the cure for discouragement. By ourselves we may not have enough courage to get through but God can give us what we need if we ask. 


That's why I think the words "discouraged" and "courage" are powerful. They prompt you to take action. When I received "bad" news the other night, my friend noticed that I was upset and she hugged me and said that she knew it was discouraging. The little light in my head went on and I realized that the news was nothing but discouraging. I'm quite used to discouragement and I know how to handle it! My friend gave me courage, then I read my Bible and was encouraged enough that my personal little courage factory moved into gear. There's no need to wallow in discouragement if you know what you need to do. 


How is your courage?

Awesome Stuff #6: Help from Strangers

I’m not going to lie. It was a bit of a rough night. After working a busy day shift with only three hours of sleep in me and in very icy and snowy road conditions I headed home, prepared for the fact that due to the amount of snow that fell out of the sky I would likely have to park my car on a plowed street and walk the rest of the way home. This did not deter me as I knew that my baby Jack was at home waiting for me. But it was worse than I had expected. Much, much worse. The west side of the highway probably got more than double the snow than the east where I was traveling from. This in its self is not a shocker. Living in relative proximity to the mountains - actually living in Alberta at all makes a massive snowfall an expected occurrence. HOWEVER, it becomes a bit more of an issue when your municipality decides that plowing the roads (any of the roads) is simply not on its list of things to do.

I needed to get milk from the store where I proceeded to get stuck in the parking lot. A wonderful man saw my plight and began rocking my car until I was free from what our slightly oddball news meterologist calls “grippy snow”. Grateful for the help I proceeded to head home and turned onto what is not a primary road but the largest north/south running street on the west side of town only to find a foot of snow spread across it. I kid you not! In the wisdom of my “many” years of winter driving experience I decided to take a high-speed run at it, figuring that it surely couldn’t be like that the whole way through. I made it about halfway before I lost control and 360’d it to the buried curb. Miraculously I managed to rock out of that one myself and continued the chaotic path to my street. I went to turn into the street I planned to park my car on and was dead stuck. Actually, that’s not even true. I was completely high centered. Spinning in the air. 


First I was given the blessing of two young men who began trying to push me out. After about 15 minutes of pushing another two gentlemen joined the efforts until I was free for a whole 5 metres before another two guys pushed me again until I was well away from my home where Jack waited. I could not stop. There was no where I could stop the car without getting stuck and I needed to still get out for work in the morning. I was so frustrated! What did the town expect us commuters to do? I finally decided that the best option over all was to head back the direction I came - back to work and ask for the hospitality of friends for the evening. They gracefully accommodated me. On top of that my dad offered to go and get Jack just as soon as the streets were plowed (he also ended up shoveling my driveway {thanks dad} ). 

You might think that this is where the story stops and I end with an AWESOME. But it gets better!

It is definitely awesome that I have friends and a dad that would go out of their way to help me out. It is especially heart warming when you have a total of seven strangers that stop what they are doing to push you out of a rut. 

But you know what else is awesome? Getting to be one of those strangers! I came home tonight and got stuck again trying to turn onto my road. Another stranger jumped out of his truck and pushed me out. I yelled my thanks as I struggled to get control on the road and began thinking how I wished I could somehow give back - I mean I just had a platoon of strangers help me out in the past 24 hours, I should be contributing something back in the way of blessings. 

I finally made it to my beautiful home and quickly jumped out and shoveled the remains of the plow so I could pull into my snow-free garage. Suddenly a car came by and stopped and three women around my age grabbed shovels out of the trunk and began shoveling one of the driveways a few houses down from me. I could tell from the conversation that this house belonged to someone they knew didn’t have anyone to help shovel their driveway. I was being given a chance to give back! I brought my shovel and together the four of us shoveled a truck load of snow out of that driveway. 

What a great feeling.

So! Having strangers help you out and being able to help a stranger out. . .

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Special and Loved

I wasn't going to write today. After all, it's Valentine's Day - why would I want to write about a day that encourages 24 hours or less of warm-fuzzy lovey-dovey feelings at its best and feelings of self-pity, jealousy, greed, unrealistic expectations, anger, rejection and self-loathing at its worst? Hmmm, not so inspiring.

And I'm not all that bitter really. Sure, as a person of the dreaded lack of marital status I get a bit tired of Vday being shoved down my throat in all forms of advertising and being disqualified from some awesome contest opportunities because of my lack of a significant other. However, over all, I'm for a day that makes someone feel special and loved. 

But my heart definitely goes out to those who don't feel special and loved. I get that too. After all, there were no flowers for me today, no card, no chocolates, no special supper, no hugs and kisses and no "I love you"s. And as pathetic as that sentence looks, it's not a pity party, it's just fact. There are more facts though - I also didn't have a "significant other" hit me or verbally abuse me, I wasn't forgotten about or stood up. Seems like a fair trade off I suppose.

And it gets better. Sure, maybe I don't get to feel special and loved on this particular day of the year. But I KNOW that I am and its not constrained to a specific day. My friend sewed me a beautiful dress the other day, an older woman in the community phoned just to check up on me this week. Another lady shared her heart with me on Sunday in the hopes of encouraging me. A family reiterated to me that I am always welcome at their house anytime. My parents came out to a function to support me. My best friend is going to study with me this week and lend me their truck. Some flowers and a card can hardly compete with that, right?

On top of all that - God loves me and knows the desires of my heart and He has a plan. All I have to do is trust that He's working in my best interests and delight in His presence. Each day is a new adventure.

I'm just devoting my time to a particular project this month. Come March I'll be back with more posts.

Happy Valentine's Day. I hope that even though you might not FEEL like you're special and loved - you still KNOW that you're special and loved.