Every now and then I think back to nursing school. How difficult it was, the exams we studied for in study groups at each other’s houses. I was one of the three youngest students in my graduating class. The majority of students I took classes with were men and women in their 30’s, raising a family and now was the time to pursue their dream of becoming a nurse. It was a very supportive and non judgmental group of friends. Of course that made the whole experience much more tolerable.
We all had to take Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 classes before we began nursing clasPses. The professor who taught the class when I was a student was an extreme intelligent older woman with an unmistakable British accent. Very no nonsense, in other words, took no shit. I liked her but kept my distance lol.
We were learning about the brain. There are 3 membrane layers that cover the brain under the skull. I’ll never forget the first membrane is called called the “dura mater”. It is Latin for “Tough Mother”. The professor emphasized the protection the brain has enclosed in the skull made of bone; as well as the 3 membranes beginning with the Dura Mater.
This goes through my mind as I have been talking about raising Thomas. The difficult decisions Tommy and I made concerning medications, residential schools, do nothing so called professional physicians, etc… I’ve come to the conclusion that I am a Dura Mater or as my professor translated One Tough Mother.
I know quite a few mothers who could proudly wear that title of Dura Mater. Some tough mothers of typical children and many mothers of special needs children. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by tough mothers.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 