Archive for Virginia Pillsbury: Senior Writer

I always based the end of summer on when my children went back to school.

For me, summer ended last week when I helped my daughter Leslie move into her residence hall at Florida State University. She is a sophomore and returned early for resident assistant training.

If you are a parent preparing for a new school year, you may well feel that same happy/sad/relieved/excited feeling that I have right now. Summer was so great, but it’s time for the next season.

In the August issue of Florida Doctor Magazine, I interviewed several female doctors who are also devoted moms. Boy was I impressed with their zest for living, their ability to multitask, and their desire for quality home life. Listening to each of them, I felt like I was learning ways to enhance my own family’s life.

Good nutrition and eating together as a family was a common thread with all of these moms. Good, simple home meals around the table go a long way towards building good eating habits, learning table etiquette and enjoying great conversation.

I grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and have the greatest memories of growing up in that beautiful town. One of my favorite summer memories is catching lightening bugs. I couldn’t wait to share that activity with my own children – but by then we were living in Florida and there just aren’t lightening bugs here. Every summer possible I would take my children back to Annapolis to instill in them the love that I have for that town.

Summer is more than halfway over!  What happened? When did early June suddenly become late July?  Have I made the most of my favorite season?

Some highlights:

Seven months and going strong with my running!! I run early before it is too hot and humid, and on some very rare mornings I’ve even had a cool breeze. It really is a great way to start the day with a sense of accomplishment.

Another goal was to join the YMCA; I did and now I Zumba a couple of times a week too.

I spent a good part of early June interviewing local nurses for HealthSource and Florida Doctor Magazine – it was one of the best assignments I’ve ever had. The love and caring and commitment oozed from theses nurses; they truly live and love nursing.

It made me think of when my father died 20 years ago after spending close to three months in a Maryland hospital. The nurses became family as they cared for our father as well as us.  Several nurses came to his funeral and my mother continued those friendships.

For me it was something I didn’t give much thought to. I simply checked the “yes, I want to be an organ donor” box on my driver’s license renewal because it seemed the right thing to do. When they turned 16, I urged my kids to do the same thing.

Then I interviewed several transplant recipients and donors and my eyes were opened. An organ donor really does give the gift of life both to the recipient and to that recipient’s family. Those who receive an organ are among the most thankful people I’ve ever met. They do not take that gift lightly and often celebrate the anniversary of their “new life.”

Dr. Christopher Roberts of the Jacksonville Spine Center is a hero to the dogs that he transports from their rescue location to their “furever” home.

While he works during the week caring for his patients, he spends his weekends as a pilot to dogs who have been rescued from abuse or abandonment. He flies to locations to pick them up and then delivers them. His children sometimes fly with him on  these missions that he started when he first heard about  Pilots n Paws. “It is a good and noble mission,” believes Dr. Roberts who loves animals and has a pilot’s license. He gets to combine his love of flying with helping animals who might otherwise get euthanized.

A Teacher on a Mission for All Students

I’m optimistic, my glass is half full, and I always look for the blessing in any situation. So I always admire it when someone tries to solve a problem rather than just complain about the state of things!

Joshua Hogan of Tomorrow’s Future Foundation is one of those tireless teachers on a mission to help all students. This foundation that he and his colleagues started serves to help provide teachers with the supplies that they need for their students who often don’t have necessary school supplies. Hogan’s goal is to partner with businesses and raise money to help supplement teachers’ needs. “Our students are also our future consumers and employees,” says Hogan, who wants them all to be as well educated and prepared as they possibly can be for their future.