Attention, page turners, tappers and swipers!

I grew up among a family of readers. I have deep and vivid mental images of my father relaxing in his slightly tattered recliner and reading books ranging from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People to Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, epic poems about the siege of Troy and the return home, 10 years after the Trojan War, of the Greek hero Odysseus.

My mother, on the other hand, loved fiction. With a book propped open on the kitchen counter, she would read while cooking supper or fulfilling any number of motherly responsibilities. My big sister was and is an avid reader who peruses works that encompass an extensive span of genres.

Click photo to order.

As a teenager, my favorite books included biographies of famous sports figures like Lou Gehrig, Knute Rockne, and Cassius Clay (before he became Mohammed Ali). I enjoyed sports biographies so much that, finally, my high school English teacher declared, “Enough, Cindy, you need to expand your horizons!” and would not accept any more reports from me about books based on sports figures. As I reflect on that time—and my teacher’s mandate—I am grateful for her insistence that I broaden my taste for books, because I started reading just about everything I could get my hands on.

Years later, I met my father-in-law, who always seemed to have a book in hand. When visiting, he would arrive with an extra suitcase filled with his beloved books. He enjoyed a wide variety of subjects, and I loved the way his glasses perched on the end of his nose as he read, how he marked the pages with a folded corner and then entered notes in the margins with his thick, black, felt pen. Even more, I basked in the conversation that ensued as we discussed the author and his or her thesis. It didn’t matter what the subject matter was; what mattered more was the banter and repartee that filled the room and the mind-stimulating dialogue.

As a child and, later, as I grew into adulthood, I hoped to be an author someday, not an author of just any book but one that made a difference in the lives of others. My mother believed I would write a book for children, because I love to tell stories that delight the young of heart. I always thought that my mother was right, so who would have thought I would write a book for colleagues?

When the publishers of Sigma Theta Tau International contacted me with the prospect of authoring a book on “fostering civility in nursing education,” I was a bit taken aback, but not for long, because I soon realized I had been writing just such a book in my head for a long time. I couldn’t wait to put my stories and thoughts down on the pages of a manuscript that has now become a published book with the title Creating and Sustaining Civility in Nursing Education. What a thrill! I wrote the book with you in mind—nurse educators who each and every day rise to the challenge of educating and mentoring our students and future nursing workforce.

I must admit, I love the feel and smell of an old tome, cracking the binding and turning the pages of a book to discover unlimited possibilities, experiencing an incredible intellectual or entertaining journey that transports me to any place my mind can travel. Now, I invite you to experience the feel and smell of a new tome and to have fun delving into a book that offers myriad ideas and reflections on ways to foster civility in nursing education, your lives, and beyond. Enjoy the journey!

Oh, you prefer E-books? Well, start downloading!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Meet Stolle: An educator's educator

There is a compelling quote from an unknown source that immediately centers me when I consider the power of positive role modeling and the importance of a life well lived: “I strive to be the person my dog believes I am.” Dog lovers know exactly what this means. The lessons we learn from our furry friends have a lasting impact and make an indelible imprint on our lives.

We have an assortment of shelter pets—dogs and cats—that others have thoughtlessly tossed along the roadside, both literally and figuratively. One of them, Stolle (STOW-lee), is an Australian shepherd and border collie mix. She is named after Stolle Meadow, an incredibly beautiful mountain meadow nestled near the South Fork of Idaho’s wild and spectacular Salmon River, a magical place where visitors and local hikers watch chinook salmon spawn in late summer.

Stolle

Our Stolle is pretty magical. too. We rescued her from the local animal shelter when she was 7 months old. It was clear from the outset that someone had mistreated her, perhaps badly. Initially, she acted afraid most of the time—cowering, skittish around strangers, especially terrified of men. I remember very clearly the day the cable guy came to hook up our TV. As he exited his truck and approached our door, Stolle nearly came unglued. Although frightened to the point of panic, she nonetheless fiercely defended her home and family. Despite her fear of others, Stolle loved us from the beginning.

We’ve learned many life lessons from Stolle during the short time we’ve owned her—she just turned 2 years old—as we have from all of our other dogs, past and present. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important in our lives, but dogs keep us on track, mindful of life’s treasures. Yes, misfortunes occur and hardships happen, but it’s how we deal with such matters that makes us strong, our lives memorable.

Our dogs have taught me to bark less and wag more often. They have shown us that life is an adventure worth living and that it is a privilege to be loved by a canine friend. Having a dog reminds me that it is OK—if not mandatory—to have fun and to take life a little less seriously; to play more and enjoy the thrill of the outdoors, no matter the weather; that snow is meant to be tossed exuberantly into the air with one’s nose and that newly raked leaves are fair game for jumping and diving and finding out what’s underneath that cushion of color. Being a dog is synonymous with going for the gusto. No matter how old we are, in people years or dog years, we can choose to be youthful and playful—puppies at heart.

Our canine friends remind us in so many ways that life doesn’t need to be so complicated or complex. They teach us the importance of simplifying and decluttering our lives—to take lots of naps; to curl up by the fire with a favorite toy or person; to spend lots of quiet, lazy days lying in the sunshine with your belly in the air. Stolle makes me strive to be a better person; a better wife and mother; a better teacher and friend; really, a better everything. She is a faithful and loyal friend who loves us unconditionally and guards us with her very life. Dogs are more than dogs—they are the epitome of caring and compassion.

Stolle has a warm and sheltered place to relax, but she chooses to wait, sometimes in pouring rain, drenched to the bone, anticipating the sound of our vehicle coming up the lane, signaling our arrival home. Jumping for joy, her enthusiasm and excitement is a sight to behold and a heartwarming delight. At the end of a busy day, it’s the perfect, love-filled greeting to come home to. Dogs are always happy to see us, even when we leave for only a few minutes. Stolle reminds us to slow down, pay attention, and take delight in life’s simple pleasures. Often, they are what bring us the greatest joy.

The time will come when Stolle will leave this earthly place. It won’t be easy to say good-bye. We have bid farewell to several loyal and treasured furry friends over the years, and it is one of life’s most difficult moments. Mack, our beloved Labrador retriever, lived to a ripe old age of 15 years. Putting him down was terribly sad. We still miss him and cherish our memories of one of the best dogs ever to grace our lives. I am comforted in my belief that there is a special place in heaven for dogs like Mack and Stolle—loving, affectionate, and kind friends who inspire me to be the person they believe I am.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.