A toast to health and nurses

“Week is May 6-12. ....to honor Florence Nightingale's birthday and nurses everywhere….an acknowledgement of nurses everywhere, Florence, a toast to health…” This sentence was sent to me from a friend asking for comment. I initially thought I would drop a line about the wonders of nurses and perhaps touch on healing. I read it and let my mind go with the information.

I was first introduced to Florence Nightingale at a very young age by my mother, who had a great respect for “The lady with the lamp” that bordered on reverence. In the hallway of my parents home hung two prints -- Florence Nightingale portrait that was titled “The First Nurse” and a small print of Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy.” I do not recall much about the Gainsborough print other than it was a companion for Florence. I readily recall Mum’s voice as she told the story of Florence—bringer of comfort to the dying and health to the sick as she walked the straw strewn hallways in make shift hospitals, her lamp offering light to all. I heard about the Crimean War and spent hours looking at maps in the Atlas for more information. I thought that if I knew where in the world Florence was then I would understand her better. It all felt so familiar to me.

I have not strayed too far from the memories of my mother’s stories of Florence and her commitment to healing, caring and reforming. I have a deep gratitude for this reminder to health and healing. In my quest for knowledge and the basics of healing, I met up with Kathy Oddenino. In meeting up with Kathy almost 2 decades ago, I feel she embodies all that Florence began all those years ago. She seems to continue where Florence left off in a way, and has expanded on the passion for health and the basics of healing www.kathyoddenino.com that go far beyond anything I could jot down here.

In honouring Florence Nightingale as the lady with the lamp, the first nurse, health advocate extraordinaire…I also honour Kathy Oddenino as a friend, a nurse, a spiritual philosopher and teacher; a health reformer who shines the light of knowledge as spirit consciousness. What Florence began, Kathy has expanded a thousand fold. I am grateful to have been introduced to them. This is my toast to health, to compassionate care… to Florence and Kathy and all nurses’ contributions to health and life…I thank you!

happiness expands!

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Please do watch this and pass it on! Happiness is contagious! Thank you Margaret for "the sound of music" http://gjimsonandfriends.blogspot.com