It's not every day you think about what your future holds. Okay, as incoming college freshmen I guess it is. Everyone always asks "What are you majoring in?", and then "What do you want to do with that?" Of course, not everything is set in stone, but it's kind of fun to think of a hypothetical future. So let's travel forward in time and see how I'm doing, shall we?
I'm a 29 year-old a music therapist at St. Jude's children hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I work with children, singing to them and making their lives more comfortable. It is difficult seeing terminally ill children every day, and it's even harder when I see them pass. I love seeing their faces light up when I hand them an instrument for them to play or when I play one of their favorite songs. It's such a rewarding profession. I have an undergraduate degree in Music Education from Wartburg and a Master's degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, which I acquired after taking a 2 year break from Wartburg.
I only work part-time during the day because I have a family. I take care of my kids at home and actually acting in the housewife-like role. I love to bake and clean our quaint cottage outside of the city and take care of the family. My husband helps me as well, but I don't mind that I do most of the work because I enjoy it. I also try to garden as much as possible. I grow my own tomatoes and cucumbers and squash in the back yard. I guess you could say I'm very old-fashioned. Reading is still one of my passions, as it always has been. I read books to my children before they go to bed, and then read some literature before I fall asleep, too. It helps keep my focus and concentration sharp!
Because of my music education background, I help direct my church's choir. Spirituality is still very important in my life. It helps me get through the losses I experience. Without Him, I probably wouldn't have returned to work after one of my patients died for the first time. I know He has a plan for me to continue touching people's lives with music. He's set this path out for me, and I intend to follow it, no matter the hardships.
My mom and dad live in Tacoma, Washington and my brother lives in Colorado. I try to visit him every summer and I visit my parents for Christmas. We trade off places for Christmas and Easter. We try to take a conjoined vacation in the summer every once and a while to Door County, Wisconsin just like I used to in high school. I'm glad I have a good relationship with my family still. I don't know what I would do without their support and love.
I am living a dream-like life. Of course, there are times when it's hard. There are times when my family has a bad day and I have to comfort them, there are times when I feel like I can't continue putting myself through seeing these suffering children. However, what is a life without challenges? How do we grow if we're too content in our lives? I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I love who I have become, and that's all I can ask for.
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