Let your hair down

Most of you already know that I'm a planner. I have a strict daily schedule that must be followed perfectly in order for me to accomplish everything that is demanded of my day. I mean... when you work, attend arguably the hardest grad program in the world, and are responsible for a husband/household, you are forced into becoming a meticulous scheduler and list maker. All of my planning leaves little room for genuine surprises. My mother in law always says, "Meagan, I hope you get genuinely surprised one day. Sometimes surprises are God's greatest gifts." While I didn't receive the "surprise" she was probably referring to, I was seriously caught off guard when my husband's ring tone started playing on my phone this evening! Ever since I missed Johnny's one weekly phone call last week, I have kept my phone on loud every second of the day in hopes that "Stand by your Man" by Tammy Wynette (yes, he picked the song) would start playing. I was shocked since his weekly phone call was last night. The academy allowed him an additional call to ensure that I was safe after all of the terrible weather. While we only got to talk for a little less than one minute, his voice certainly lifted the spirits of my evening.... something I so desperately needed after studying cranial nerves all day. Even though I am still a fan of lists and plans, I have learned to let my hair down a little. Surprises are good. Actually, surprises are great. Maybe, just maybe, I'll start throwing my plans out the window so I can start receiving all the joyous surprises God has in store for me.

“Don’t brag about tomorrow! Each day brings its own surprises.” -Proverbs 27:1

Roll With the Punches

Well Monday has certainly lived up to its reputation today. I think for so long I was living in my happy little "college bubble". In my college bubble, everyone was cordial, carefree, and happy about living. When I graduated and got a big girl job, it wasn't long before my that nice round bubble popped right in my face. Turns out, the human characteristics I was so used to in my quaint southern college town are now just facades. I, for one, refuse to be the shell of a person where a fun-loving individual used to reside. Although, I have certainly had my days when all I did was sit in a poorly lit room with books all around me, eat the most unhealthy snacks because I was "too busy" studying to fix a suitable meal, and cried at the very thought of everything I needed to accomplish. It wasn't long ago that I realized that truth of John 10:10. "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." So what is I make a B? So what if my weight fluctuates five pounds? So what if I can't afford that dress I really want? Am I still living? Yes. Am I still loved? Yes. Do I still have a roof over my head? Yes. Then what in the world am I freaking out about? Today has taught me that nothing is what is really seems... but that's okay because that is the beauty of life. So that's why my southern remedy of the day is to roll with the punches.

A Day of Celebration

Today I turned 22. For some reason 22 seems so old.... like I have crossed to the "other" side. After your 21st birthday, it seems as if there is no more excitements for birthdays. Instead, we begin to dread birthdays and dread the stigma attached to each additional number. I have always been the baby. I'm the youngest in my family. The youngest to graduate from high school and college. They even had to add a new year to my master's degree program application so I could apply. Now, I don't feel like the baby anymore... even when I am usually still much younger than those around me. I guess a mortage and car payment has a way of making you feel old. These feelings were nothing some birthday cheesecake couldn't solve... which I had far too much of. With all that said, I had a wonderful day. Johnny was home for most of the day, and I heard from old friends that I haven't talked to in quite some time. I was overwhelmed by the outflow of love and birthday wishes from family and friends. To top it all off, it was Easter! In all my 22 years, my birthday has never fallen on Easter. This "double holiday" gave me a pretty good excuse to stay away from anatomy today.

While I don't know if anyone will take the time to keep up with my blog, I want to document my journey through life, love, and medical school. This is my exploration of my southern remedies for life.