..and in Atlanta, Georgia, there's peace on Earth tonight.

Ahhh, Christmastime again.

I suppose it's true what they say - time eases all pain. Just two short years ago, I remember writing a post explaining how Christmas was different with Danny gone and it would never be the same (relive that torture here). That Christmas and the one following it was lonely and I had never felt so miserable. I watched people gather with the ones they love and enjoy making precious memories with them. I wasn't present though; my heart just wasn't in it.

This year was different - and for that, I'm so very thankful.

My church sponsors many children each year, ensuring those within our community have presents to open on Christmas. In the months leading up to Christmas, my mom and I were responsible for this project and it's success (oh, the joys of being a deacon family!). Many would have complained about this task and all that it required. I, however, found that the longer I worked and shopped for these children, I was happy and content …and joyous! The meaning of Christmas came alive in my heart. That's right y'all, the grinch that had began to despise Christmas, was looking forward to the day when these children could open their gifts and was caught praying they would have a Christmas to remember. Christmas became less about who was missing, and more about who I was still blessed to have in my life. Christmas became less about what I was given, and more about what I could give to everyone around me.

"But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Christmas Eve

Christmas 2014

This Christmas my family was also able to give the gift of fellowship, time, and joy to three lovely children within our inner circle. My family was blessed with tickets to Snow Mountain's Christmas Village. So we suited up, met with Ms. Brenda and her adorable babies, and headed out. We watched Christmas shows, saw a snow angel flying, watched fireworks, and then took a chilly train ride to round out the night. My whole day was made watching these tiny humans light up! The joy and pure happiness in their faces was priceless!

This day was only made better by the miracle that followed. As I mentioned earlier, my family was given tickets for this attraction. These tickets are about $45 per person, including small children. The White's are blessed, but we're certainly not rich. We struggle from month to month and barely get by. I don't say this for pity, but rather to make the point that there is no way we could afford this on our own and we were blessed with this opportunity. Collectively, we were given 10 tickets. Holy moly, that's $450 worth of tickets …given to us! What a blessing!! However, as you can see in the pictures below, there are only NINE of us (my sister chose not to go). Due to work schedules, we could only spend a few hours at the park and by the time we got there, the main attraction was the fireworks and the late-night train ride. With one ticket that expired in just a few days, mom and I made the decision to give the ticket away to someone in line. With that, I began to walk around to find someone to give this ticket. That's when I saw them. A young couple with two toddler aged children and they were heavily staring at the price board. These were the ones; I felt it. I walked up to them, explained the situation, and asked if they'd like the ticket. Tears immediately filled the mother's eyes. She explained to me that they had recently experienced hard times and all the two young boys wanted was to ride the train. "The tickets are just so expensive and I didn't know how we'd get them both inside." My heart sank into my stomach as her husband told her, "That'll be enough for you and the kids to go. I'll wait out here." This wasn't me! I was just a messenger! This was all GOD! He's the worker of all things! I just pray I was a small light to this young family. Talk about Christmas miracles, y'all.

Snow Mountain Christmas Village
@ Stone Mountain, Georgia
12.29.14

So, with the words of my favorite Christmas song, Merry Christmas from Dixie to everyone tonight!

From my family to yours,
Merry Christmas Y'all!
V

Victoria White, MSN

12.13.14.

Graduation Day!!

Today I graduate from an accelerated master-level nursing program. I began the program in August 2013, a short three months after graduating from the University of Georgia. At that time, I felt prepared to complete the program and confident in my ability to do well. Sixteen months later, I have no idea what I was thinking.

The program was intense and while I knew it was accelerated, I never dreamed it would be as tough as it turned out. The first semester, while we had a lot of down time, was hard because new skills and knowledge was being thrown at you to learn quickly and perfectly. Second semester brought more clinical hours, no free time, several group projects, and applying knowledge with judgement. Third semester was equivalent to the second, except our time was cut in half; this only meant we were busier. The last semester left me feeling confident, but only as a result of spending every waking hour in the hospital. These are the negatives!!

While hard, the program also brought lots of positive outcomes! I have made so many friends through this program - friends I otherwise wouldn't have even met. I've learned so much. I feel prepared to pass NCLEX and confident to safely treat patients. The tough curriculum has given me a sense of accomplishment. To sound totally privileged, this is the first program I've had to work hard to finish. Other courses just required you to do the minimum and complete tasks, but I had to work in this program. More than just course work, I had to treat people and learn those skills as well. It was tough, I won't lie. But I wouldn't have asked for it any other way.

Upon graduation, I feel clinically confident and prepared to take the next step in life and my career. I am proud to announce that I've accepted a position at Emory Healthcare on the same ICU I completed my practicum. I'm so thrilled and excited to see where this journey will lead!

Graduation day just wouldn't be complete without pictures, right?

Peace and Love,

V