My niece became a nurse over the weekend.  Well, actually, it took more than a weekend she has been working for this for 3 years now and it paid off Friday night!  Have you ever been to a “Pinning Ceremony”?  This was my first and I loved it.  Of course I was so proud of her, she is the second for our family, my Grandmother, Mary Clifford was an RN as well.  These ceremonies are very emotional, steeped in tradition.  Kayla wore a ceremonious white uniform, symbolizing, life, hope, unselfishness and sympathy- all virtues which nursing embraces.  The “cap” she wore had a black velvet band across the top, placed there in the early 1900’s to recognize the profession’s mourning of the death of Florence Nightingale.  Speaking of Flo, Kayla held a small red votive candle as she processed into the Auditorium, not unlike the one Florence Nightingale carried in the Crimean War.  I had no idea the profession was so deeply entrenched in symbolism and tradition.  I admire nurses, they are where the “rubber meets the road” so to speak.  I have been the recipient of a good deal of their compassion and care at a time in my life when I needed it the most.  I know Kayla will carry on the tradition.  I still see that wisenheimer niece of mine when I look at her but you’ll see a kind and caring young woman.