Poetry: Pearls of Wisdom, 'Sherry'

By teaching nurses in an accelerated Bachelors of Science (B. S. N) program, I have met some remarkable men and women over the last seven years. I am amazed at the life lessons I have learned from these students.

I have taught hundreds of nurses. I wish I could remember all of them. There are some I will never forget. * Sherry was that kind of nurse.

I met Sherry and taught her for a few short weeks in a Management and Leadership course. I felt as though I had a co-teacher with this nurse. Since then, she has kept in touch. I wanted to let her know, now that grades have been posted, what she has taught me!

I have a sneaking feeling you knew how inspired I was after meeting you for our six week course in Management and Leadership.

Your class is small with only six students in your cohort. You are all remarkable women for very different reasons. However, this letter is all about you.

I couldn't tell how old you were when I first met you that Thursday evening. You could have been any age, as you are young at heart. You have a smile that won't quit!

Besides being grateful that I survived the harrowing ride (my driving!) to the city hospital for class, I knew immediately that you were one together lady!

You are clearly the maternal figure of your peers. I understand. I felt an instant connection.

You stood out with the story you told us on this night of getting to know each other. You cried. We all did. I think it did everyone a world of good.

I am sorry that a community setting, treating oncology clients, would show anyone such disrespect. I am even sorrier that it was you.

I am proud that you did not accept a client's medical record being hurled at you from your 'supervisor'. Symbolically speaking, neither did I, when I left a job for the basic reason of disrespect.

I was even sorrier that your supervisor was so cruel to you within the same year that both your parents died. Through it all, your dignity and professionalism was evident. Even through your tears, I could feel your inner peace and balance.

How wonderful that you took a bit of time to think! Congratulations for deciding to pursue your B.S.N. I believe you will open that practice as a grief counsellor. You have the passion and the determination.

Your oral contributions and written work taught me much about you. I learned that true leaders can hold any position at any age. It all boils down to the concept of 'service leadership'. I appreciate how you demonstrated this in your daily practice and classwork.

The baby shower was wonderful. What a great idea you had! It was great fun learning and celebrating simultaneously. Hoping 'AS' is healthy, and I look forward to getting pictures/ updates as soon as her gift from heaven arrives.

I would like to ask you to do one last piece of homework for me. Find that jazz band you used to sing for and invite me to your opening act.

Your rendition of 'God Bless the Child' was beyond outstanding. Billie Holiday would have been proud of her song with your vocals! I will never hear this song again without thinking of the spontaneous joy we all felt as you serenaded our classroom that evening.

*Sherry, I will end this the way that you sign off on your e-mails. It is so you!

Peace and blessings,

Maria

A lady's song,

She was done wrong,

A lady's heart,

She sure was smart,

A lady's soul,

Just let it roll,

A lady's way,

Will always stay,

A lady's life,

Without the strife,

A lady's peace,

With a new lease.

*Sherry, I changed your name but never the impact you have had on me. I am proud of you and wish you the very best always. This poem is dedicated to you, Maria

"You cannot tread the Path before you become the Path yourself". (Zen saying)

© Maria Jordan (November, 2011)