Saying Good Bye To Old Friends 2/27/14

Good Morning,

A big steaming cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee graces my hand with it's presence this morning as I leave for work.

Recently I made a job change. I was able to stay in the same organization and accept a transfer back to the city and a bigger hospital. Since 2002 I had been working in the rural areas of Wisconsin in a great hospital system. In the smaller hospitals it became very easy to become more than co-workers. You were family. You celebrated births, mourned funerals, enjoyed holidays, worked hard together and enjoyed one another. I am sure with a little time I will enjoy that same luxury in the bigger city hospital.

Many of my former work family members had asked if I would come back for a couple of hours to say good bye. Last night was the night. It was bitter sweet. We have been through a lot together. They all wished me well, asked questions about the new job, laughed about old times, and hugged. It was very nice. They asked me to make a little speech before I left. I desired not to do that. I wanted to address each one individually and thank them for all they had done for me. But today I will give them the speech they deserve, but use the words of the Apostle Paul. I know several of them read this, and one for sure will pass this on. My own words would never be able to express how I feel about them. But this says it best.

Philippians 1:3-7 (NIV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in our work from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart.

Philippians 4:8-9(NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

God bless you all. If you are ever in need, or are in the neighborhood. Well, the porch light is always on for you. You are loved.

Marty