Chico State Memories...

                                                           Chico State Memories...

  My days spent at CSU Chico are so long ago, and so far away from my everyday lived experience, and yet what I learned as a nursing student there shaped me in my nursing career, and in my personal life.

  I first stepped onto the Chico campus in the fall of 1971, as a junior in high school. I had all day to explore the campus. I still remember the beauty that I saw on that day, from the expanse of lawns and variety of trees, to the elegance of the historic brick buildings and the bell tower. In addition, Chico Creek runs through the campus, so there are several bridges for bikes and pedestrians spread across the lovely campus. After seeing the campus and the town, I  decided that Chico was the college for me. There was a small town personal feel to it, along with being surrounded by the beauty of nature. I never regretted my decision to go to Chico State.

  On the Administration Building (pictured above), are the words: Today Decides Tomorrow. Those words always gave me pause as I glanced at them while coming or going to classes. These words made me consider my decisions on the big and small things in my life at the time. These words acted as a guide to me on my journey as a nursing student, causing me to slow down momentarily and reflect on where I was going.

  One thing for sure that I took away from being at CSU Chico was the love of learning, and the love of challenging myself academically. I had many hours of difficult study, and nursing exams and labs and hours spent caring for patients in the local hospitals...and I loved every minute of it! Something about Chico, the college and the town, wrapped itself around my heart and soul, much like the ivy covering all the brick buildings on campus. These special memories and feelings that they evoke will always stay with me. The place that Chico holds in my heart is tied to so many treasured memories, such as; meeting my husband, meeting my adopted grandmother, and finding my career path in nursing. For these treasures in my life, I will always be grateful.

~Kathy~

  

Bridal Memories...

                                                           Bridal Memories


   Why do weddings evoke so many deeply rooted thoughts and feelings? Seeing one of our daughters trying on a series of lovely wedding gowns really put me in a reflective state of mind. It was as if time had raced past me unawares, and now with my daughter arrayed in elegant lace before me, there was no denying the reality of the passage of time.

   The reality is that a wedding is approaching, and with that realization comes a host of feelings, some fleeting, but many are tied to the momentous occasion that a wedding is. It takes some adjusting on everyone's part, because the family is expanding to include a son/brother-in-law. This shifting of the family dynamics is felt differently by each family member, and is easier for some than others.This is all a very normal and expected part of the transformation that slowly evolves over time in families. 

   There is nothing more beautiful in terms of ceremonies, nor more stressful, than a wedding. I could add to that statement that there is nothing as expensive either, but I am sure that is common knowledge. Hopefully,when all is said and done,the memories from this upcoming spring wedding will evoke thoughts that transcend the passage of time. 

~Kathy~