Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital School of Nursing - Aeneid Yearbook (Huntington, WV)

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BALLAD OF KEMLEE KAHLE (Student Nurse) I lost my heart to Kemlee Kahle, 0 me! 0 my! 0 me! When I was a patient deathly pale And in came Kemlee, Kemlee Kahle, O me! 0 my! 0 me! She smoothed the pillow and tucked the bed As a nurse will do, till I turned my head And I saw, Oh , I saw that the night had fled! O me! O my! 0 me! For her smile was something the dawn had found When a cherry tree is holy ground And petals are falling round and round. And in her hair was the golden foam Of a sun ray caught in an amber comb. And her eyes, oh, her eyes were home sweet home! 0 me! 0 my! 0 me! Oh, few came back from the darkened vale When the mind goes out and the lights all fail. But I came back through Kemlee Kahle! Oh, I came back when I heard her say That spring was coming through green and gray. And beauty was only a breath away- Beauty and love and the world aglow. With the blue above and the green below— Oh, that was enough for the heart to know! O me! 0 my! 0 me! I wonder who will be saying this Over and over when I am gone— When I am gone whom none will miss, I wonder who will be saying this: lost my heart to Kemlee Kahle, O me! O my! O me! When I was a patient deathly pale And in came Kemlee, Kemlee Kahle, O me! O my! O me! —From “Wide the Gate” by Leigh Hanes 19

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CLASS HISTORY The year was 1967, the date September 24, and the day was a warm, sunny and colorful Sunday afternoon. This was the beginning of a new life for twenty-four Freshmen students who arrived with family and friends at Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital School of Nursing. We were given a warm welcome by the faculty, who gave a reception in our honor in the hospital cafeteria. Then, too, our “Big Sisters” had some special activities planned in our behalf, such as all the little niceties of initiation too numerous to mention! We spent our first week in leisure, getting acquainted, touring the paper mill in Covington, picknicking at Natural Bridge, and touring the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington. For most of us it was quite an adjustment to make, especially in blocking from our minds the comforting sounds from the railroad yards in trying to get a decent night’s sleep, and then awaking to the heavenly aroma blowing in the winds to us from the direction of Covington. Our week of orientation came to a close with the beginning of our classes at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. For most of us this was a big step we were taking. It was the beginning of a long, hard climb to our ultimate goat of someday becoming a registered nurse. We realized that this was going to take a lot of determination, and that some would make it and some of us would stop somewhere along the way for one reason or another. Mixed with our college days were those first few days we spent in the clinical area — those patients really had our sympathy! Much to our surprise, we learned that we had all thumbs on our hands, feet that tripped easily and were awkward, and faces that turned red for no good reason. Somehow we survived it all and made it to capping, which gave us a strong feeling of pride and accomplishment. To our plain white caps were added two black velvet stripes which began our Junior year. We had several activities to keep us busy — studying. District meetings. State conventions, and affiliations. Our class was divided into halves for our rotation in Psychiatric Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland. We then met again as one group at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for an exciting three months in Obstetric Nursing. At the close of this affiliation and a short vacation, we at long last entered our final year. We were now dignified Seniors, and wore a wide black band across our caps. We started out on our last long train ride — this time to Detroit for our final affiliation, at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Upon returning to C. 0. we had some odds and ends to take care of, such as I.C.U., I.V. therapy, O.R., and O.P.D. As we approached the close of our Senior Year we were faced with new fears, hopes, ambitions and goals. August 16, 1970 . . . GRADUATION ! ! ! Who could believe it?! (A graduate cap, pin, and bouquet of flowers). Our dream that at one time seemed impossible had actually been fulfilled! Thanks to our parents, instructors, friends and all those who gave us such faithful support, and encouraged and coached us along. (And BLESS those housemothers for three years of putting up with us). Now with treasured memories, mixed emotions, and with much hope and happiness in our hearts, we each part to our own separate ways, again to find new friends, new roles, new situations, and new challenges! 18

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To My Father It matters not that time has shed His thawless snow upon your head For he maintains, with wonderous Perpetual summer in you heart. WILLIAM H. HAYNE To My Mother She is as good as goodness is; Her acts and all her words are kind, And high above all memories I hold the beauty of her mind. FREDERIC H. ADAMS DAD.. . To-day I’m a nurse — it seems only a dream I can hardly believe that it’s true. My training is done — I have come to the end And my first grateful thought is of you. You, my father, who helped me so much on the way; You whose love and whose faith was so strong. Yours the kindness, the courage, the praise that was there In times when the way seemed so long. I know that you’re proud. Dad, to-day as you see Your nurse — just so late your wee tot But my pride in you. Dad, rings as strong in my heart God love you — and bless you a lot. This is only a verse — just a “thank you” in rhyme But its accents are happy and glad. For it tells of the love that in gratitude comes From a graduate nurse to you Dad. MOTHER . . . The stretch of the years is now long past Since I was your baby girl The years when you mended a broken doll Or smoothed down a straying curl. I’ve come since then to a woman’s place To my graduation day. I’m a nurse — and the dream of my child hood hours Stands achieved — and my heart is gay. But mother, I know I could never have won If your love hadn’t helped me along. I who was always so weak on the way You were ever so strong. Your love and your help, and your kindly praise. These followed me through the years. A million thanks well up from my heart God bless you — your joy and your tears. You are my model — you my ideal Yours — ever the love that was true. God couldn’t be with me all of the time So he gave me a mother like you. And mother, if ever around my neck The arms of a baby twine, I only ask God to be like unto you. You — little mother of mine.