Homework on Thanksgiving Day

October 1994

The Lord has blessed my first semester in graduate school tremendously as I study Nursing Issues. My brain has come out of mothballs, especially during group discussions and stimulating lectures from our professor. I just went to the hospital library to do some literature searches on my ethical dilemma for my paper. I decided to write about Euthanasia, surprised to learn that ending a person’s life is legal in the Netherlands. We need to use the American Psychological Association (APA) format for all our writings. I study diligently my large textbook with all the writing rules for this format, trying not to become overwhelmed. I also decided to invest in a personal computer to help me write my papers, so I have another steep learning curve. During my lunch break at work, I stopped at the local library and the librarian showed me how to use this pointer called a mouse to find my place on the screen. I am clumsy with it so I need to keep practicing.

Thanksgiving Day, November 1994

I turned in my paper on Euthanasia and my professor handed it back to me without a grade. She said I totally missed the point and told me to rewrite it. She said I did a report rather than addressing both sides of the ethical dilemma, stating my viewpoint clearly. I feel so disappointed and discouraged. I also must finish writing my final paper on Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners. I discovered the laws are different in each state. Some states allow NPs to prescribe all medications including narcotics independently without a physician on-site, while others require an MD co-signature, and still, others don’t allow NPs to write for any prescriptions.

No one at church invited me to Thanksgiving dinner this year, and I live too far away from my family in the Midwest to go home. One of the single fellows in the career group, George, does not have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving day either. He asked if we could eat together at my house? I said I could take a three-hour break from writing my two papers. He is bringing the turkey and pie, and I am making the side dishes.

We had a pleasant meal together, sharing what the Lord has been teaching us lately and thanking Him for His goodness.

I finished both papers after working on them the rest of Thursday, all day Friday, and all day Saturday. Thank You, Lord, for helping me finish on time.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (ungrudgingly); and it shall be given him. James 1:5 (KJV)

I rejoiced after my professor accepted both my papers and gave me an A- for my first course in graduate school. I had difficulty getting back into the study mode, learning how to write using the APA format, and mastering a computer while working full time as a visiting nurse.

George and I sometimes laugh about our Thanksgiving dinner together when I gave him three hours of my time. He later married a dear friend of mine from church, and they are both serving the Lord faithfully.

I also now use my computer mouse with proficiency!