Dinner with the Girls

Last Thursday night my co-workers took me out to dinner. I had to work late hours that day, so when I walked in most were already there. I saw a former friend who now works at Baptist first. It was good to see her and nice to know she thought enough of me to come back to join us.
There were plently of nurses from my department and several from the admitting department and the Preop area. We had a blast. I apologized to a couple as they left in hopes they would forgive the noise we were making.
We had a nice dinner and reminised about the years we had worked together. There have been so many changes, some good, some we didn't perceive as good but we always made the best of it. There are young nurses coming in to take the place of those going out. It is hard to believe that I am at the age to retire, I don't FEEL any older than them!! (Most days that is).
This Thursday we will celebrate together with a reception in the board room. I have been to many others and it is surreal that it is now my turn. I look forward to speaking to each one who comes. My family will also be there with me....grandkids and all. I will miss Medical Park Hospital. It has been the best place in the world to work as evident in the fact I have been there 24 years. It has never been hard to tell patients that they would recieve the best care there, cause it is the truth. I can sell anything I really believe in!
I have been so excited because it has been my passion to do ministry full=time. So as I was handed my packet last week I was surprised that I busted out in tears. Now where did that come from? It is hard to invest that much time in a place, meeting the needs of thousands of patients, working side by side with my co-workers, and the Dr.'s and not have a little sense of loss, right?
God seems to be turning the page of my life right now and I can't wait to see what it looks like. I sense that is not only my time to go but His calling me away to do His bidding till He takes me home. Some have asked, "What are you going to do?" Whatever He tells me to do!!!!
First off I think He is saying, Sandra, Why don't you clean up that filthy house before you do anything else. So that is the plan for next week. Clean, pitch out, wash windows, paint, tear down wallpaper, pitch some more then.......Wherever He leads I will follow!!!! Mind you I DON"T have to do those things first Lord, I CAN leave them and continue to follow YOU! Much more my pleasure to do so.
Hope to blog and write more often. So will see you soon.

Happy Birthday to Me!

What a glorious day Jimmy and I spent celebrating my birthday. We are at Lake James so we woke up to an awesome view of God's creation as we overlooked the mountains behind the back drop of the smooth as silk water. And this is what I opened the Word to: "The LORD is over many waters." Psa. 29:3. Also I was given this scripture by a friend for the day: "May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand-fold more than you are, and bless you, just as He has promised you!" You can't beat that for an awesome start to your day.
I have so much to be grateful for...A great family with great grandchildren and children who love each other. I am blessed with in laws of my children whom I love and hold dear!
My husband was so good to indulge me for the day by allowing me to do just what pleased me. We had thought that we would either go to Black Mtn. or to Asheville so we headed that way and decided to stop in Black Mtn. and have lunch and shop. Then we decided there was plenty of time to head to Asheville and so we went to the shops there, got a frappicino at Starbucks, and finished the day off with dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. It was awesome. Then we came back to the Lake and just finished watching the Tooth Fairy which our son had told us we would enjoy (he was right). It was cute.
I got so many messages today wishing me Happy Birthday from friends and family. I will head back home tomorrow, have our On Wings board meeting and head home to pack up for a seminar the rest of the week with Sylvia Gunter!!! Life is good.
I have a meeting to discuss my retirement next week and have just 5 more days to work. Now if that is not something to celebrate I don't know what is. I feel like I am opening another chapter in this book of life and it is exciting. I can't wait to see what God brings my way and the experiences He has in store for me. This is a great place to be in life. I look forward to having more time to write on the blog, work on more projects, and do some fun things. I told Jimmy I might take some cooking classes! I love to cook when I have time and I plan to make that time.
I have already signed up to take a writing course in the fall. You might just get tired of me before it's over.
Thank you Lord for a wonderful birthday! They get better and better!!!!!!!!!!!