Panagiota Romios Poet Rhyme

On Receving My Nursing Cap

....On Receiving my Nursing Cap......

On the shores of Lake Michigan, I bowed my head, 
and received my nursing cap.
At Madonna de LaStrada  Chapel, long before the
days there was a life overcome with Apps!

In those days we wore uniforms, white stockings 
and white shoes.
Rules were strict, there was no " dress as you like" 
loose rules.

I miss those days, of caring directly for others.
Learning to give injections, scared the life out of me
and my nursing school sisters and brothers!

I admire those who give their days and nights, to 
work with the very ill.
But memories of wrapping dead bodies in bags, 
still gives me a chill!

There were no computers back then, we wrote notes
neatly down.
At bedtime, we gave those who chose, a wonderful
massage and nightly rub down!

Midway through nursing school, God sent to me, 
my love!
I gave up nursing school, eloped, and became both
wife, and turtedove!

Still, those tender moments, I love so to recall.
Loyola University, in Evanston, Saint Francis Hospital,
And caring for my patients, most of all!

                   
                      3/28/2021
                        ~1~


Notes: I changed majors and attended other universities
to get a Bachelor of Education. 
    Major: Science      Minor: Philosphy
I did teach in elementary schools in Chicago and later in
the San Francisco Unified School District.
I attended the University of Chicago after that, to study 
famous painters, sculpturers and classical music.

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Linda Alice Fowler March 23, 2023 at 6:31 AM Wha a sweet memory and gracious write about your relationships with your patients. I agree with others Pangie. You should write a book! :) Panagiota Romios March 23, 2023 at 9:30 AM Lol…Linda, you are right about a book. But by now memories have flown away,,they are lost with poetry, it’s simple. I have no patience for a book. You know the joy of caring for others.when I nrole my leg last year,I ended up at UC Davis hospial. Beyond fabulous staff…Pangie xo

Darlene De Beaulieu March 30, 2021 at 8:18 AM Hello Panagiota, I remember as a little girl seeing nurses in their white outfits wearing their nursing caps. I thought how nice that was. Now the nurses just wear colourful uniforms without nursing caps. I was always afraid of the doctors it was the white cost that scared me when I was little. Hugs Darlene xx Panagiota Romios March 30, 2021 at 11:23 AM Hello Darlene! Like you, I remember the nurses in white. Same here colorful uniforms, no caps. My MD still wears a white coat but does not scare me. In ER rooms, one never knows who is who. It was like a graduation ceremony in a truly, beautiful place, that chapel has been used for movies. It holds about 400 people. You can get married in it! Thanks..Pangie xxxooo

Madelyn Mckay March 28, 2021 at 4:02 PM "Capping," what a wonderful ceremony in a lovely chapel. I am so pleased that you changed majors to Education. I think that you influenced and inspired many others in that field. Love the poem~ Madelyn McKay Panagiota Romios March 29, 2021 at 1:04 PM The chapel is actually a small church as I recall. Families were in attendance for the capping. We ate in the student union afterwards. It was a sit down lunch.i have pictures of that.after switching majors. Both nursing and education are lives of service;neither are lives of big money.I was glad to meet a student years later who had become a nurse. The ghetto did not stop her, from achieving her dreams. Another student, an escapee from Cuba, became a Paramedic. He jumped on the tracks in Chicago, saved a life and was a hero in Chicago..so glad to see his success! They overcame enormous barriers and achieved their dreams! Thank you, Madelyn....Hugs, Pangie xx

Robert L. Hinshaw March 28, 2021 at 9:37 AM Grand poem, Pangie! What a well-rounded education and life you have enjoyed. So much you have experienced and the world is better for it - Bob H Panagiota Romios March 28, 2021 at 10:39 AM It was a busy life, Bob. I thank God for all of it. I hope the wot,s is better.))) Soring hugs, Pangie xx

Tom Cunningham March 28, 2021 at 6:25 AM What an interesting life you've had Pangie, you should write a book. Hope your Sunday is going well. Tom Panagiota Romios March 28, 2021 at 6:41 AM Hi Tom, this is only 1/4 of my life.))). Many experiences and people. Got to see Presidents of both parties. Worked with both parties..,lots of fun! Theater came later and the belly dancing.))) I love living life on the edge and trying new things. I bore quite easily and always look for the next door to open.I already wrote about observing an autopsy. That was really something else! To see what we have on the inside, outside? mind blowing.... Wearing the blu- blocker reading glasses. Very cool! Can't write a book with one finger! The Poetry is nearly killing me as is.)) Spring Hugs, Panagiota xx Pangie, one finger typing poetess..LOL. XX