The Illustrated Abecedarian. A Punctuated Equilibrium. Pigment ink on 9"x12" Bristol board.
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Eleanor Easley was a woman who valued the simple way of living. Above all she wanted to maintain equilibrium in her life but could not avoid those events that punctuated it, thus living a sort of punctuated equilibrium.
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***A personal note on the title. I work with a young analyst whose intensity, zest and humor equals mine, except I am no longer as young or fast. She is agile, artistic, creative and cerebral. She is determined and dedicated to her work and is rather a perfectionist. We sometimes chat about things other than work and we discovered that we shared similar interests and characteristics. In fact her birthday follows mine. I told her that above all else, I value peace of mind and as much as I want excitement, I detest controversy and conflict. We shared this desire. Once we talked about the facts of life and she used the phrase "punctuated equilibrium". I smiled. It is so apt in describing most of the things that happen along the way. Of course my punctuations are not as dramatic as the above illustration but there have been times when all I was doing was standing there and someone has to go into cardiopulmonary arrest. I don't advertise the fact that I am a registered nurse. I have been shown too many rashes in private parts in public places, however, these dire situations know where to find me. I have outside of clinical practice performed three successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation's in public places. I always worry about what I may contract from the suffering stranger and I rely too much on my guardian angel to render me immunity on such occasion.
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I think the phrase, however, rings true, more figuratively in most cases.
Ces dear, never fear the consequences, both you and I are often called upon to handle emergency situations. I have learned from long experience that I just happen to be THERE at the right time, at the right place, for the right reason. Whether you stick your finger into a spurting artery until a clamp arrives, or I do the same for a bleeding spirit, we are sent there for that particular purpose. While in these situations, we are protected unless it is in our own learning to catch something which we would in some other way in any case.
ReplyDeleteMarch on brave heart!
Another great drawing. I enjoyed reading this and find it interesting how emergencies kind of find their way to you. I liked what Arija said too.
ReplyDeleteDivine order must be at play, when you are in the right place at the right time.
I can only relate by saying that I use to do medical transcription for 30 years plus. And, I had every disease in the book, in my imagination. No sooner had I typed an emergency stat report on somebody suffering from something, darn if I didn't get the symptoms...ha
The worse one was I typed for a hand specialist orthopedic doc, and he did a lot of carpal tunnel surgeries. Wouldn't you know, a week after I started that account I started having the symptoms. I suffered for two weeks before I saw the connection and then it disappeared..!!
but that doesn't really relate to what you posted, I just like to hear myself talk...!
Arija, I once was at the right place and time when an 18 month old girl choked on a hard candy given by his older brother who was 3 years old. It was perfect timing though I recall I summoned all my strength and courage and all my guardian angels for help. The little girl was choking and turning blue and her father was getting nervous and urging me to get it done quickly. I tried and tried and finally let a hard wallop land on her back that dislodged the candy. I kissed the little girl and all was fine, then I went back to finish my discussion with another analyst. Later on the way home, the earlier events settled on me and only then did I realize the magnitude of it. I cried and sobbed as I hugged and kissed my daughter. As for the immunity, Thank goodness, I have not contracted any communicable disease although this afternoon when a couple of neighbors visited (they are both registered nurses) we talked about on the field cpr and she encouraged me to carry an oral guard. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSandy, thank you. Auspicious placement, I say but I would do it wherever it happens and all I ask is for my guardian angels to send someone out to help when it happens to someone I love. I can imagine the loads of information you must have accumulated. I understand the sympathetic pains and it's a good thing they were not the kinds that caused anxiety attacks. Go ahead, talk as you please, I am listening :)
I know these feelings exacatly ces... working with people in the hospital does this to you, and its only when you hvee down time that you go thru the horror of any given situation at work. I used to do replays of them in my mind at home...+ wash my hands a great lot! lol!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Krissie, did that too and got burn out. I also itched a lot.
ReplyDeletei love this phrase and how you use it, and can't get over how you happened to be in those places exactly when you were needed. you were indeed an guardian angel for those people.
ReplyDeleteeleanor easley looks like a new yorker. i imagine her walking in central park alone on the way to metropolitan museum.
ReplyDeleteB&B, better than walking to the Met during the heatwave! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the drawing and the tale Ces :D
ReplyDelete"Punctuated Equilibrium" That's poetry that is :D
Yes, Milady, it's a perfect description of some events in life. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAh Ces, it's a wonderful thing to save a life. The risk of 'catching something' is low and the satisfaction of being of such a service must be fantastic. You know my mother was a nurse, I'm of the firm belief that it's a vocation, not just an occupation. You're all to be commended.
ReplyDeleteBaino, I know your mother was a nurse and your high regard for the profession is a tribute to the kind of nurse she was. It is satisfying and I do not dwell on catching communicable diseases although I can say that I caught several of them, some with painful treatment regimen, work hazards, as they are called.
ReplyDeleteOh Ces, its so hot here today, so I am looking at your lovely illustration, sitting under the air con vent, and imagining the sound of my feet crunching thru the snow......aaaaahhhh thats refreshing!!! Thanks Ces!
ReplyDeleteLavender, I am sorry you are having a hot day. I am glad the drawing gave you mental cooling. It was humid here yesterday but cold today. I prefer today's temperature.
ReplyDeleteThe change is ever so slight, but I'm pretty sure of it. No punctuated equilibrium for me (isn't that a great phrase!). I'm devolving.
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with the classic experiments on bystander intervention? While most people ignore or do not notice strangers in need of help, it is those who are trained to help who actually stop to lend a hand -- policemen, paramedics, nurses, etc. Bless you. You've made a huge difference in many lives already.
Beautiful illustration. Sometimes I crave a nice, quiet, solitary walk. This makes me feel peaceful. Yes, at equilibrium.
Bella, devolving is something I need to learn. I am learning it at work but without frustration. Now that you mentioned it, I do notice these things. I guess I am more aware of them. Not that I am actively looking. Once my husband and I were in the car and a couple on the next lane were fighting while driving. The man hit the woman and their car hit the concrete wall on an escalated road. We all tried to avoid the accident and everyone else drove off. My husband asked me if I wanted to stop and see if the couple was okay. The woman had a head injury and I stayed with her until the ambulance came.
ReplyDeleteYou are a saint for what you and your colleagues do. This is wonderful title and drawing to start off the new year right.
ReplyDeleteCes, thank you for following!
ReplyDeleteI love this drawing. I love the solitude, with peace.
It is very interesting that you make the comment about fear of contracting something from strangers. That would be my main reason for not being a caregiver...the other being that I'm pretty self-involved! I have a friend who is a nurse and she is very pragmatic and matter of fact, and when I've asked her of fear of contraction, she just laughs.
Oh Kim, you make me blush. I was not very saintly though :)
ReplyDeleteHello Chris, your friend is right. Most nurses do not dwell on that idea but a lot have been exposed to communicable diseases, injuries and even death, especially the ER trauma, ICU and life flight nurses.