Great Times

From Sept of 2000 until June of 2006 I worked in the Labor & Delivery unit @ UMC here in Lubbock. I can honestly say that those years were some of the best of my life. The friendships and relationships that grew out of that time I will never forget. I remember when I made the decision to come from the dept I was in (NICU for 5 yrs) to L&D. I was very nervous because all I had dealt with straight out of nursing school was babies not with the adult mamas they came from. I was immediately made to feel welcome and I learned the art of L&D nursing from some of the best.

I soon discovered that the people I was working with were just not going to be my co-workers but my second family. It all began at the top with Ruth (best nurse manager, hands down). She had the unique ability to be your boss when she needed to be, but you knew she was your friend first. With that type of boss the trickle down effect went to all of the staff. We would sometimes get on each other nerves, just as family does, but when it came down to it, we were there for each other. We were truly a team that worked hard to help each other. There were days of blood, sweat and tears but at the end of the day we knew we had done a good job. We helped birth each others children, went through each others tragedies and triumphs, and just loved having coffee together and just really knowing each other and our families.

We always dreaded July 1st because here would come all the new residents. We knew it would be a trying time but I like to feel that we had some hand in developing these young doctors into fine physicians. We had some wonderful attendings but we really love Dr. Mac and Dr. F-S. I am proud to call them friends still today. There were wonderful and some not so wonderful residents. We know who they are. Who can forget the family practice residents. They always knew the way to our hearts, bring us pens from the med reps. They knew we would take care of them.

So here is to all the women I worked with and some of the men. I am going to attempt to name you guys but if I leave you out don't take offense, you were a great part of my life: Ruth, Kat, the big L ,the Lori's, Lucille ,Ginger, Carla, Chris, J'Layne, Kyle, Kevin, Christina, the Deb's, Amanda, the Darlene's, The Tammy's, Bev, JJ, Cindy, Sharon B., Bridgett, Irma, Jo, Sonya, Kelly,The Rebecca's, the Melissa's, Linda, Denise, the Katey's, Sid, Loli, Holly, Micah, and the one we lost, Barbara, how we miss you.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of having dinner with some of the individuals. It was such a great time. We must do it more often. It is nice to know that even though some of us have moved away, retired, work together in a different place and those that continue in L&D, that we still come together from that common bond we share. God never makes mistakes, he puts us where we need to be for the time we need to be and I am grateful for the time he put me there. I raise my glass to these fine people and know I will always care for you all.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus. John 15:13