I Am John

As my way of celebrating the New Year,

I take this time to remember the past,

and enjoy the present.

 

This past wee while has been amazing for me,

Over the course of the past 2 years:

(2003 and 2004),

 

my blood pressure has dropped 30 points (last check it was 102/64)

and my pulse usually sits between 48 and 54,

I’ve lost a ton of unwanted weight,

I now have more than a year of no smoking to my credit,

and my last annual medical revealed

nothing but exceptional health.

 

I ran “seriously” for the first time in almost 8 years

This year (2004) I completed 10 races

2 x 10 km
1 x 15 km
5 x ½ Marathons (21 km)
1 x 30 km
1 x Full Marathon (42 km)

Around The Bay Race in Hamilton (Mar)
Waterloo ½ Marathon (Apr)
MDS Nordion 10K run (May)
Ottawa ½ Marathon (May)
Massey ½ Marathon (Jul)
North Bay 15 km (Aug)
Borden Striders 10 Km (Sep)
Toronto Waterfront Marathon 42.2 km (Sep)
Prince Edward County ½ Marathon, 21.1 km (Oct)
Niagara Falls ½ Marathon 21.1km (Oct)

(all in all not too shabby for a 48 year old)

 

I passed the National Exams and became a

Registered Practical Nurse!!

 

I’ve been upgrading my education,

a few of the courses I have taken include:

 

First Aid Instructor,

Advanced Cardiac Life Support,

Automated External Defibrillation,

Mini Medical School at Queens University,

Leadership for Registered Practical Nurses,

Dementia Studies (working on the certificate),

Oncology Nursing (I’m working on the certificate),

Physical Examinations for Registered Practical Nurses,

Medical Records Technology (working on the certificate),

I finished a college certificate in Management Development,

I’ve also attended and enjoyed numerous

medical and nursing workshops,

 

In Jan of ’05 - I’ll be going to Chilliwack, British Columbia for

3 months to be trained as a Paramedic.

(that's right near Seattle for those that want the geography lesson)

 

The military offered me an extension of my contract till 2011,

with an option for another 5 years after that,

at almost $50,000 a year,

how could I say no?

 

I’ve had two articles published

in Ontario’s provincial nursing magazines

and have been published twice by the

Canadian Forces Medical Services Website

 

I’ve also had a couple articles printed in what was once

the Canadian Forces Base Kingston base paper,

columns on first aid and motivational features to help

people quit smoking.

 

I’ve brought my finances out of the ruins and

now have my good credit rating back.

 

My part time job as a nurse is wonderful

because it gives me the opportunity to help others.

 

Recently I’ve received letters of appreciation

from a few organizations

as their way of saying thanks for my time

it’s always nice to volunteer.

 

My good fortune keeps going,

I met a wonderful person who we will call “ma lady”

and she recently introduced to another woman who we will call,

“The Lovely Lynda”,

having these two ladies in my life is wonderful,

 

Quite frankly,

I am enjoying my ride on the wave,

I see nothing but bigger and better things in my future

I have time and good health.

 

Of all these accomplishments

The most satisfying thing for me is

 

to be cherished by friends and family,

to be able to cherish friends and family,

to be in my daughters life,

 

to know that my opinion does count,

and

to be capable of smiling at the man in the mirror.

 

It’s not always about the

money, certificates, and medals,

but,

It is always about who I am inside.

 

I Am John

and this is good

“or so I’ve been told”.

finally, it's important to realize
that none of the above
would be possible
if it was not for the
people that surround me
and those that choose to
"stand by me"


... HAPPY NEW YEAR ...

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