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I work at a local hospital and this past year during the pandemic has been very unusual. We have all had to find alternate ways to do things that we normally do. We have all made adjustments. We have all struggled in some way, I think. Shortly after the pandemic began and everything shut down I realized there may be a time I get stuck at work. New York went through a horrible, terrible time and my heart ached for each and every person there. But I tried to observe too. Just in case, I packed a "go bag" to keep in my car. It contained three days worth of scrubs, medications, and toiletries in case we had a surge that necessitated my staying multiple days at work. I hoped I never had to use it. And I had never packed a go bag before so I hoped it would be sufficient should I need it.
Almost a year later in February Nashville was hit with a snowpocolypse. It was my weekend to work and by Sunday lunch I had talked with my husband about the forecast. Freezing rain had already began and snow was expected, maybe ice. Our house is on a very steep, snow ski type hill. So steep in fact that if I can get down the hill in one piece I should be able to make it to work. Except for the newly installed Nashville Predator's practice ice at the bottom, that was tricky too. It shows up every time there is a snow and ice storm. Then disappears. It's magic. And heaven forbid going up it on ice! 4WD might be helpful but not much else. We decided I might ought to get a hotel room close to work instead of risking driving home and getting stuck on our hill. I was on duty the next two days as well. I work tens, so come in early, leave later in the evening. It would be dark on the drive both ways with either frozen or refrozen precipitation. So a couple of colleagues and I went in together and decided to split a room, just in case the forecast was correct.
None of the other girls or I lived super close to work so we all had the same worry we would not be able to make it in in the morning. I decided to leave my car parked in our employee garage and walk the few blocks. I called security to let them know and they assured me it would be fine. One of the girls I was rooming with and I were on the phone while she packed a bag. It was during that conversation I remembered I had set my winter boots out by the door to put them in my car that morning... And forgot to actually put them in my car. I have no filter. So in the middle of our conversation I blurted out, "Oh F***! I left my boots at home!"
There was a slight pause on the other end and then I hear, "What size shoe do you wear? I think I have an extra pair in my truck you could borrow." I got so tickled. OF COURSE she happened to have an extra pair of snow boots in her truck that should fit me. My colleague is someone I have worked with for many years. We have become good friends over the last couple of years but even before that I admired her dedication to what we do, her willingness to jump in and help, and her love for our patients. As I got to know her better that opinion was only reinforced. She has also been a good observer of life and it's lessons. She said once she had been stuck somewhere unprepared and never wanted to be there again. A lesson many of us could take to heart. I jokingly call her a girl scout sometimes but not to laugh at her. I admire her.
So, back to my lack of boots. I was dismayed. I knew if it were to ice and snow I would be trudging through it in my porous IV room sneakers. They would never completely dry out. When she offered her boots I was extremely grateful. I later found out she also had an extra set of scrubs in her truck, as well as extra clothes in her locker. She hoped she didn't have to use them and so did I. So she met me at work, brought me the boots, and lo and behold, they fit fine! As we left the hospital to walk the few blocks to the hotel there was already a freezing misty rain falling. Sidewalks were getting slick and we could see vehicles beginning to slide a little. We got to our hotel, checked in, and up to our room. As I sat down and reached to pull my borrowed boots off I began giggling again. Our other roomie asked me what was so funny. I said, "I wanna be her when I grow up! Prepared, ready for whatever life throws at her, and confident."
Giggling in my borrowed boots, totally in awe of my friend!
Photo credit: W Robinson
Y'all, I am in my late thirties I am a fully grown adult. But I still feel like I am not most days. So yeah, I wanna be like her when I grow up or at least when I feel grown up finally. Does anyone happen to know when that happens? I am not sure we ever "feel" grown up totally. I think back to my parents and other adults I knew as a youngster. I thought they had it mostly together. Now I realize they were just trying their best, like the rest of us.
I did use my go bag that week. It was sufficient but not complete. I later added a few things I had wished I had. That week was long and difficult and cold and full of snow. It was a once in five years storm for our area. There are more stories to come from that week and I will get to telling them all. If you made it this far, thank you. I appreciate you. Tell me, what is something you know about someone you admire? Tell me about who you want to be when you grow up. I want to hear all about it!
Be well, y'all.
If you liked the borrowed boots you can view a similar pair here: https://amzn.to/3pTtHEr
If you like the navy scrubs, I wear Cherokee Workwear and they can be seen here: https://amzn.to/3wmhOJK