New celebrations.

We have many things to celebrate. Life is about commemorating moments that are important, that leave a mark on our lives.

I recently spoke with a classmate and colleague back from when I graduated from my first profession, she told me that we are about to celebrate 42 years since we graduated.

Yes, by July 27, 1979 I was graduating among a group of about 40 people or I think we were a little more. The truth is I’m not even sure of the total number of my colleagues.

The truth is that a colleague called me to tell me if I wanted to be added to the Whatsapp group to which they were added. Of course I accepted, I have many years of not hearing from most of my colleagues from back then.

Little by little the names of the people I still remember fondly have been coming out, but the names of many people I don't remember are also coming out.

So by reading the stories and tales that happened to us back then, I have been able to remember many of the people with whom I shared 3 years of my life.

It’s sadder when they tell me that there are several of the group who have passed away over the years and a few others from the pandemic.

I believe that of the group of nurse colleagues who have died there are fewer people infected with the current virus than compared to my group of physician colleagues who have died from the same thing.

No one likes to hear that people who have been a part of our lives for so long have died. It is as if something is saying very close to our ear "be careful, next time it could be you". No one knows their time, but it saddens to know that it was the time of people as young and hardworking as we are ourselves.

That is why life should be a celebration from the very moment we wake up. When I open my eyes in the morning I am already thanking God for his infinite mercy in allowing me to continue another day, that I have been able to open my eyes to a new day.

Just the fact of waking up is a miracle of God, to be able to breathe spontaneously, to be healthy. It’s a great gift to which we must render honors.

Therefore, life must be a constant gratitude, a constant celebration of life. Because we remember the happy moments we lived with the ones we love the most and we treasure those moments in the depths of our hearts and minds.

This celebration of my colleagues at the end of the month has brought me new meditations. It’s 42 years since I graduated from the nursing profession, it has served me well, both for my daily life and to continue studying in my second profession.

I never stopped being a nurse. Because the vocation does not end when you change to another profession but you strengthen it, enrich it and this is what happened to me.

Through the years I continued to nurture my mind with everything I could to make sure I continue to provide better care to the patient who has sought my help. And I thank my God for placing this stimulus in my heart for me to follow the path of health for others and for myself.

You can't imagine the feelings I have inside of me, to meet again in a virtual way with many people I never imagined I would meet again. It’s a kind of spoonful of life, a rejuvenation of the heart to strengthen the spirit and nourish the spirit.

I feel so excited to know of many of the people who today are in different cities of my country and are still celebrating life, friendship and despite our involuntary confinement are celebrating the reunion once again to recount the liveliest events of our lives over the years.

But there is something that has saddened my joy, a little. I have heard from a friend I knew more than 40 years ago and never heard from again. But that he had sent his greetings with another person he thought I might meet. I on one of those days when thoughts are heavy had also remembered him and sent him greetings with someone who referred me to see him.

Our greetings never reached each other, neither of us received our messages. But it happened recently that I started to look for him through the networks, knowing the place and the city in my country where he was, my surprise was of sadness when my search led me to an obituary.

My friend has died. Three years ago he died, I’m sad because things in life happen and we don’t always like them and my heart aches because my friend and I never heard from either of us again and we were both searching for each other.

 There is celebration in my mind because my friends found me, my colleagues have contacted me and there is sorrow in my heart as I learn what I know today of another friend.

There are several deceased, friends all. May God help their souls in eternal rest and carry them to his holy presence.

And we should celebrate the beautiful memories we lived with them. Celebrate life. Give thanks.

Thank you Lord, thank you. Thank you Lord thank you, for life and for the celebration of it.

This is a publication to serve as an inspiration to continue living with joy and remember the pleasant moments we lived with those who are already in another plane and with those who still remain in this one.

I'm @gertu13, from Venezuela to the world.