Today is the first day of National Nurses Week (May 6-12). Give them everything they want, I say, because they are deserving of anything! And 2020 was designated “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” by the World Health Organization honoring the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, a social activist, and the trailblazing “Godmother” of modern nursing. She came from a wealthy British family and was born in Florence, Italy. She always felt that nursing was her calling. She was known as “The Lady with the Lamp” as she made nightly rounds of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Funny, I remember choosing to write about Ms. Nightingale for a grade school report. International Nurses Day is celebrated on her birthday, May 12.
The pandemic has indeed elevated medical professionals to another level.
Yesterday I was surprised to receive a nice email from a worker at Ralphs Market. I had met her while writing at the Starbucks café there. She would stop to get her coffee before starting her shift. A lovely young college student, she was studying criminal science. I had eventually given her my business card. I’ve been “missing in action” at the store, so she decided to check in with me. I certainly miss my community of friends there.
At my local market the other day, I ran into two friends. Standing at the front door, I greeted both. They didn’t know each other, so I introduced Sharon to Terry and vice versa. It was a humorous scene because we all wore masks and only our eyes smiled in acknowledgement. When this pandemic is behind us, Sharon and Terry may never recognize each other again. By then, they won’t be wearing masks. And by then, hair salons will be back in business performing magic on graying locks.
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