Chin Up

"Chin up, Chin up,
Put a little laughter in your eyes.
Brave it, save it,
Even though you're feeling otherwise.
Rise up, wise up,
Make a little smile begin.
You'll be happy hearted
Once you get it started.
Up with your chinny chin chin!"
- Charlotte's Web

You would think that the move to Finland was going to be challenging enough for me. 5230 miles is a long way from my mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, best friend, etc...but anyone that has ever met me knows that I love a challenge. Little did I know the dark winter that is slowly approaching would be the last of my worries.

So lets all hope bad things really happen in spurts of 3. Maybe my stretch is over. In less than 5 months of living here I have lost my father, been stuck in an airport where a major terrorist attack was exposed, and miscarried.

My last episode happened this week. Unfortunately, I had to visit the maternity hospital 7 months earlier than planned. Despite the outcome, it was a great experience. The nurses were compassionate and caring, everyone I encountered spoke enough English to communicate, and my doctors were wonderful. The only down side was the hospital still believes in 'visitation hours.' Loved ones are only allowed on the floors from 1400-1900 daily. That left me alone in a white, cold hospital room for 4 hours with another patient I knew nothing about. The time passed quickly along with the tears and I was home in time to enjoy dinner with my family.