Friday, February 25, 2011

Heroes


This morning the dawn arrived with cold, grey skies and snow...much snow..and wind...much wind. We were expecting this and I actually was up, dressed and ready to head out for the hospital with my faithful, loving companion and driver with nerves of steel. We do not have 4 wheel drive. I must give credit to my car..my 11yr. old car that has seen me to and from work in the worst of weather not boasting anything spectacular except dependability. And I'll take that. The driveway was not plowed, snowblowed, or shoveled, but we drove through it and up the road, down the winding byway that had zero visibility in some areas. We were careful to go slow. Slow but steady. We arrived in town to roads also not yet touched by a plow and stopped to help a motorist who had slid into a ditch. We had to take a few detours but made it to the hospital in time for my 7am shift. Jack drove on to his office to see if any patients would need an adjustment after shoveling all that mess! I arrived to see how many of my coworkers made the trek. Almost all arrived safe and sound. All had stories like ours, of helping others stuck, or in some way distressed. Some of the girls live 30-40min. away. The roads were bad. Their lives were really in danger. So why do we do it? Why do we feel the need to push ourselves on a morning that keeps school buses off roads so children will not be hurt, schools to close, businesses to shut down? Why do policemen, firemen, city workers who drive those plows, doctors, nurses, feel the need to get to work on time. Money? Prestige? Pats on the back? No. I would say the word of the day could be "responsibility"...or maybe it's hero. I'm certainly not putting myself in that category by all means. But as I watched my coworkers trudge on in, cold, wet from the snow, some limping because they fell on the walk from the employee lot that's 1/4 mile from the hospital, red cheeked, most smiling and grateful they made it because they knew all our patients would make it in, I had to feel respect. We are the same people that wanted to choke each other in the last few weeks because of being overworked, tired, hassled by the expectations and stress that this job offers. But like any dysfunctional family...and that's really what we are..a family, we pull together when the chips are down. Everyone doing what they can to make the day better, to help our patients who are scared, hurting, and looking to us to make it all better. Doing the extra work for those that couldn't make it in, and not complaining, just doing. Doing a job that we love and sometimes hate. But today I was proud of my coworkers. Probably next week we'll be back to wanting to choke each other again, but for today..they were heroes.

10 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

You're all heroes to me, and that's no exaggeration!

=)

Stacy said...

Thank you for always making it in and helping those who feel helpless or desperate in pain or whatever hurts them. Your husband was Kayla's hero today. :)

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh you are all heroes, never complaining, always ready to jump in and help people. And we forget to think of you all having to make it through this kind of weather. Thank you!

acorn hollow said...

you are heros my sister in law is an operating room nurse and I have heard the stories of the ride in. and my husband has been a firefighter for years less active now but all heros. Glad your ride was safe. and so sorry your plans are cancelled. We have made it to the hotel where we will stay tonight and grab the plane in the am what would normally take us 50 min was twice that I was horrified at the state of the roads. I am a white knuckle traveler. and I am trying to wind down to sleep. have a great week!
Cathy

karen said...

I'm always in awe of those who work with the public in ways that see them at their worst - and still they manage to have patience and show kindness. I know what you mean about the extremes that happen in your work family. I have a couple of reps that I fight with like they're my brothers. But even though I'd like to choke them at times, I love them to death. Co-workers can be like family - you don't get to choose them, yet there they are.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Like Sue said You're all heros and thank God for guys like all of you. Especially you...
Stay safe and warm
Love
Maggie

Donna said...

I thought of you all when Chels called yesterday and said school was called off and then I saw the weather. I can never rest then and thought I might get a call to come for some who might have trouble getting there. Our drive was a mess too. Larry left at 6 and by 6:30 the drive was covered over again. You wrote that perfectly saying it just like it is...the thing I feel worst about is your canceling your trip! Happy Birthday weekend!!

CHERI said...

During my recent surgery and hospital visit I fell in love with everyone there. My male nurse Terry was absolutely super...wanted to bring him home with me to wait on me hand and foot:) I very much admire those of you in the medical field. I could never, ever do what you do but you are all very appreciated. Glad you got to work safely.

Mrs Catch said...

When my daughter was in hospital, the staff were the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever met. Heroes indeed!

Darlene said...

I am totally amazed at your dedication! It is quite wonderful, you know. So many people would just look outside and say, "Not today, thanks." I honestly cannot imagine how it would be to live in that kind of weather. It's been so long since I did, in Idaho, that I've forgotten how I missed school at least six weeks every winter with bronchitis. Those were the days without antibiotics and it took forever to get over a chest cold.

I hope your weather won't last too much longer. I can just about imagine how happy you will be to see and feel spring arrive.

I hope to post some of the recipe's I promised tomorrow. I can't believe how tired I am now that all my family have left and all my hard work is over. I sorta crashed today, even though I did have to get myself to our Relief Society Birthday luncheon. I don't like to miss those. I am a little late catching up on my blogging but "better late than never," right?