I started this blog in spring 2010 to center around the fall publication of my career memoir, Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self. Since June of 2012, my goal has been to blog, from the perspective of a retired nurse, on writing, growing older, and living in Chicago. And, since 2016, living in Sioux Falls, SD.
I’m a happy mom of two, grandma to five, and great grandma of one. Counting in-laws, there are 13 in all. I decided to take writing seriously in 2000, a few weeks after I retired as professor emerita from teaching nursing at Trinity Christian College. Trinity is located in Palos Heights, IL, a south suburb of Chicago.
Working nearly forty years, I held positions in eight places, ranging from hospitals to steel mills, and I taught and/or held administrative positions in four schools of nursing: Prairie State College, Trinity Christian College, Valparaiso University, and St. Xavier University/Chicago.
I earned a diploma in nursing from Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, B.H.S. in Nursing Practice from Governors State University, and an M.S. in Psychiatric Nursing/Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
And, since I love learning and nurses are known to be life-long learners, I completed the four-year University of Chicago Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults in June of 2013. And a lot of writing classes!
What do I do for fun? Now, in 2022, at age 80, I read, write, take classes (still!), and hang out with friends and family. I’m looking forward to the publication of my next book, Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage, about our experience with his terminal lung cancer. He died in 2018.
Marv and I lived in the Chicago area for fifty years. In 2016, we moved from a Loop high rise to Sioux Falls, SD, to be near our daughter’s family. Since Marv’s death, I’ve had to learn how to do everything, since he was truly my chief cook and bottle washer! It’s been a learning experience, guided by his encouragement while he was dying that “You’ll do fine.” Always the optimist, he probably didn’t realize how much his confidence would mean to me! At present, I’m making my home between SD and AZ.
Thanks for stopping in! Come again.
Write Along with Me 
Congrats on the book! I can’t wait to read it! SO proud of you! 🙂
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Thanks so much! It’s so fun to hear from you HERE!
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Yea! We are just getting back from Hawaii and I’m trying to catch up on my emails. So proud of you for your accomplishment! My step-son Jay is a nursing student at Bradley, so I will mention the book to him. He is in his junior year and wants to work at a hospital downtown when he is done with school and then go on to get his NP. We’re quite proud of him and his choice to go into the nursing field. Someday, I hope to write a book about my experiences with Rick and Lindsey but that will probably be when I’m an empty nester. Hope all goes well with your book release! Love, Julie
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Thank you, Mrs. W! I hope you do write your story someday. Jot down things you remember now (a page of phrases will do) to help you recall the experiences later.
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Congratulations on your book. I am looking forward to reading it, when I am done with graduate school in 8 months!! Thanks for your career in nursing and helping me mold into the nurse that I am today!
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Thank you, Miranda. And congratulations to you for pursuing graduate school. Going back to school is not always easy, but in my experience, the efforts were so worthwhile. I hope my book will be of help to you as you pursue your career. Nursing is the best, as you undoubtedly already know! Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog and write.
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Hey Mrs Roelofs,
So excited to hear that your book is here! I will be sure to get my check in the mail for a copy. I LOVE seeing your pictures and blogs. The one with the boxes in the bathtub was very funny. Say “HI” to Mr. Roelofs.
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Thanks, Jane! Glad you liked the pictures. You can imagine how my husband likes helping me out. This endeavor definitely takes team work. We’re slowing emptying the boxes in the bathtub, and I’m hoping we don’t have a faucet malfunction when we’re not home. Ha ha.
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Lois, I love your site; haven’t read your book yet, but available on kindle for mac? Browsing your site, I’m also reminded of my many glory years in Chicago
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Thanks for encouragement on the blog! According to Amazon, Caring Lessons is now available on Kindle. Stay tuned for more Chicago pictures–I have this whole canvas outside my door.
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Lois, I just checked; It’s there and I’ll pick up a copy. Nurse writers are a rare breed, but they have LOTS to say..
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Hi Lois,
Just wondering if it would be possible to include a link on your site Lois Roelofs
~ from teaching nursing to writing memoir (in Chicago) to our nursing school site. I was hoping we can come to some arrangement. I am happy to negotiate payment in return for the link placement.
Please kindly get back to me with your thoughts.
Thanks
Ann
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Ann,
I’m sorry but I am not accepting paid advertising at this time. Thank you for contacting me.
Lois Roelofs
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Thank you so much for coming to my site..I can hardly wait to read everything you have…I think you are Living the life I was meant to…thank you!
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You’re welcome! I loved your nursing story. By the way, I loved The Help too. Even discussed it in two different book clubs. I’ve never had the south experience, some members had, and it was an enlightening, and upsetting, experience to hear about.
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Hello Lois, After reading your “about” I’m thinking we came from similiar roots. I graduated from Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing in 1974. I remember a Dr. Brian Roelofs who was a resident when I was there. (in fact I had a big crush on him!) Any relation to you? I look forward to reading more of your nursing stories from the bygone era.
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Hey, thanks for writing. I responded on your blog. Like your blend of health and healthy fun things. Sorry, I’m don’t know your old heart throb. (I had one, too, in training at Blodgett.) Keep on biking–good for you. I’m more likely these days trying to walk my 10,000 steps a day on Michigan Avenue.I’ve not reached that goal yet!
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Lois, I LOVE the colors of this new site and it’s design. HOW do you do it; has so much pizazz! Is the bean that big? I’ve not seen it, but that’s a great aerial view. Thanks so much for stress and the immune system. So true, but that wasn’t presented AT ALL in school. But, then again, school WAS 30 years ago.
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Annie, Thanks for the compliment on my “new theme”. I get tired of a theme after a while and have to change. This one is itheme2 and came out right after Jobs died. All I did is add the photo under theme/header. I took that one from my terrace.I have pictures at every time of year–this time I like the changing colors in Millennium Park. Yes, the Bean is that big! It always looks shiny and breath-taking. Re stress, I don’t think I heard of Selye till my bachelor’s completion program. And my diploma schooling was now 50 years ago! Hard to believe.
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Wow that is a life full of achievements and a book just for good measure.I aspire to reach at least half that then I will die happy.No but really I enjoyed your writing,I used to work shifts so chapter 3 was a delight to read.
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Well, I am honored that you read my book excerpts. What a pleasant surprise. I wish you well in whatever you do. Faith helps! I hope you no longer have to face shift work! Thanks for writing.
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Discovered you through your supportive comments after you read my story, “Wife,” at Persimmon Tree. You’ve had quite the distinguished career. Glad you are out there.
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Thanks, Claudia! I could really identify with your feeling “free.”I have a chapter in my Caring Lessons about that time in my life. It’s really good to have those feelings affirmed as in your essay. Thanks for following up.
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I felt like Camus’s Adulterous Woman. It was the city that excited me, not the lover. It was the idea that I could have my own feelings about the city, own them, keep them to myself. Be free.
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I got that. Yes, be on your own and be free of entanglements. A grand feeling.
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Hi Lois – I nominated you for a Liebster Award! You can read all the details at this link: http://gailmasinda.com/category/stuff-other-than-music/
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A massive congrats on the book. I hope it’s being well-received.
I adore Chicago–especially in the month of January.
And I love your haircut. Suits you beautifully.
Cheers!
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Thanks, Shelley. It was fun to read your kilt story. Reminded me of a trip we made once to Ireland. You can come to Chicago this weekend. We are supposed to have our first big snowstorm. Up to eleven inches for Super Bowl Sunday. Glad it’s not being played here!
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Forgot to mention I changed my theme to yours after I saw yours! I liked how yours looks.
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Hello Lois!
I absolutely love your blog and the perspective you bring. You have such experience and an education level to match. I just graduated from a nursing program, passed my NCLEX, and am starting a new job. To go along with all of this I wanted to start a blog. If you get a chance I would love for you to check it out!
https://perfectlyimperfectnurse.wordpress.com
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Thanks and Congratulations!! You have joined the best profession. Of course, I’m happily biased. I’ll stop in and check your blog. Lois
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I just recently started a blog from the perspective of chronic illness and have been looking online to find others who have faced similar challenges. I stumbled upon your blog this morning, and all I can say is: thank you. Thank you for writing with such beauty and honesty. Thank you for all your years spent caring for others through nursing – I truly believe that nurses are the true heroes. I look forward to reading more of your posts. You have touched my heart deeply. xo! Sase
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Thank you very much for your kind words. I wish you well!
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wish i could be just like you miss
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You can be! Just hang in and keep working at it. Best wishes!
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I clicked on Lynn Rosack’s “Blogs I Follow” and found you. It’s always nice to discover another professional woman who loves the Lord. Best wishes for the new year, Lois.
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Thank you! So true. Your blog is a delight. Blogging is fun after years as an educator like you.
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Hi Lois! My name is Niamh (pronounced Neeve) and I’m from Ireland – I stumbled across your blog by accident just now on the “Discover” section of WordPress, and I’m so glad that I did!
I’m glad your recent health scare turned out to be negative, and I look forward to reading your blog posts. So far they’ve filled me full of heartfelt emotion and empathy. ❤
Sending all my love and kind regards!!!
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Thank you!
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