Survived! and now for the "In-between-time"

And now that the 11 weeks of CPE is finished, it is hard to believe it was 11 weeks long. Sure enough, teachers and students are back in school and somehow i feel like my summer vacation just started. I have 12 days off before my classes begin. I have a stack of books i want to read (fun ones), a list of recipes i want to cook, and lots of time I want to spend with Rob. We spent the first night at home with marvelous friends eating yummy food and playing some vicious Wii. Loads of fun and a great celebratory evening!
I had a friend ask me, "How will you describe CPE to your friends that ask you about it?!" I struggled for words. "It was challenging and so rewarding." are the words that come to mind. Words that have been used before and are still so vague. But, this is what the time WAS! I was blessed with the opportunity to BE with people in the midst of their crisis moments, their grief, their unknown. I was challenged to think about relationships with patients and colleagues with a different perspective. It was challenging and yes, so rewarding. And like so many of the things we do, you get what you put into it. There really is so much to learn!!!!
So, now i am enjoying a week at home with Rob before we head back to the little house on the mountain.