A reminder to all on this list who work day in and day out and don't always
see the rewards of their efforts - a lot of mothers and fathers are just
hanging in there, and don't have the extra energy to send a tangible sign of
their gratitude, but just when you are at your wit's end, someone always
seems to come with that little something that keeps you going.
My boss was having a day like that not long ago, and dragged herself bravely
to a meeting of the staff BF quality assurance committee despite wanting
most of all to just go home and forget about work.  Hearing us talk about
how it was like opening a wonderful surprise package, every time we undress
a baby and place it on the mother's naked chest for the first time (when
they come to us post CS, for example), gave her the inspiration to want to
continue.
I get that a lot on this list.
Today was my last day of work before vacation after a pretty rough week,
where there were cases on the ward at every point along the joy to sorrow
continuum, and plenty of everything.
Not one but *two* cards came in the mail, both with grateful reports of how
well things are going, one with a picture of a very happy, exclusively BF 6
month old who now weighs over 20 lb.  His mother contacted us at one month,
ready to pack it all in.  And another mother phoned, ecstatic, to say her
sore nipples have now resolved and things are going well - after over two
months of great discomfort and copious milk supply.  Months go by between
every time someone sends a card, and today, when I was really ripe to just
leave town with a one-way ticket and never assess a latch again, they pour
in.  Coincidence?  I think not.
There are always people out there who think of you every time they pick up
their child to nurse them.  If you stop and concentrate, you can feel the
warmth of their appreciation reflecting just a little bit on you.  It's what
keeps us going.  Cherish it, and cherish yourselves, because you deserve it!
on that note, I'll bow out for a couple of weeks
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand Norway

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