There's Always Tomorrow

By Chiqui Raveloski

Sunrise has always captivated my curiosity. There is something about it that I cannot explain. It’s breathtaking, yet unclear. On some days, rain and clouds hides its beauty for us to see. But, rain stops eventually, giving sunrise a chance to give hope for those who seek new beginning, new life. Sunrise speaks to you in a language only you can understand. It plays music to those who are willing to listen.

My fascination for the enigmatic effect of the sunrise stemmed from when I was a little girl. I have mentioned in my blog before that my earliest memory as a child was when I was 5 years old back in the Philippines.  My grandmother used to take me walking by the beach, to breath deeply of the salt water air and listen to the sea gulls, while enjoying her presence. I remember always looking for where the sun would rise, wondering how it got there and why does it have to set at the end of the day.

Little did I know that my wandering mind as a child would come back and proceed to give me clarity in a magical way. This sounds so immature yet, I find peace knowing that I somehow made a connection from the past to the present.

My family and I just got back from our first of many family trips for this summer from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We have never been as a family, and this was a perfect opportunity to do it. We rented a room at a beach resort overlooking Myrtle Beach.

I have decided that one of my planned activities for this vacation was to take an early beach walk to watch the sunrise. I wanted to take photographs and capture the magical moment as it occurred. Then, it all came to me  the moment my plan came into fruition.

I stood there, patiently waiting for the sun, and the only thing I could think of was when I was five years old. It almost felt like my grandmother was with there with me all over, looking at me and the direction to where the sun would rise.

Maybe, just maybe, back then, my grandmother was trying to tell me that the sun will always rise from that direction and I need to see it. Learn to admire its grace and splendor, yet respect its authority , absorb its powers, and always remember that the sun will always rise.

Maybe my grandmother wanted me to appreciate nature and the joy it brings even at an early age. And if joy does overcome, then,  let it be. Maybe she knew something, none of us knows. Maybe, in her own actions, she wanted to tell me that everything will be alright.

As I took these photographs, it reminded me of those times, as a little girl, excited to see the sun come up from the horizon. I would like to share its beauty with you and hoping that the photos can come close to how I really felt at that moment.

It’s amazing how sunrise can take you through a sea of emotions. For the few minutes the sun peeked through the horizon and settled its position way up in the sky, I began to reflect on my life. Everything seemed to connect as I watched the sun's glorious rays shine through.

It reminded me of the sunny day I arrived in America 27 years ago, the sunny day my husband and I went on our first date and I rode the roller coaster for the first time (thanks, honey), the sunny day on October 19, 1996 when my daughter was born, and the sunny day in May 2008 when I graduated nursing school.

And as memories kept flashing through, a regiment of firefighters holding the American flag came jogging along the beach reminding me of my recent oath-taking ceremony and becoming a full fledged American citizen on a sunny day in May 2013.

The prism of colors the sun reflected through the sea and my surroundings reminded me of my colorful career as a nurse. Nursing has been an instrumental part of my life as I have learned so much about myself. Not only did I learn my strengths and weaknesses, but also learned more about humanity in its purest form.

Each patient, that came through my life as a nurse had taught me more about compassion, determination, and patience. Some are more memorable than others, and some you'd really rather forget about. Yet, each patient is unique in their own ways.

Like the sunrise, patients can become our source of energy, inspiration, drive, and conviction. They make us wonder and look for answers using the nursing process. And on some pivotal moment, when a non verbal and bedridden patient looks in your eyes, like the sunrise, this patient can communicate with you in a language only you as a nurse can understand. And you do what you need to do because you are willing to embrace humanity. These are the caring moments that cannot be measured by any means.

One thing is for certain, when the sun rises, it will set at the end of the day. Only because the sun will need to rise on the other side of the globe and share its beauty. The lesson I learned from this is we need to share and pass on the good deeds we have acquired in our lives. Respect, love, and honor one another

Most importantly, do not forget to take care of yourself. Sometimes, it's easier said than done. Life can pose so many trials and tribulations, hope vanishes away, and everything seems so dark. Always remember that the sun will rise again and shine through everything, giving light and clarity to all those who believe.