Oh Happy Day!

The day has finally come! August 31! I've been counting down to this day really since late last fall. But before I tell you about the last few days at work, I first need to tell you the beginning of my work years with the doctors. I found myself in a bit of a predicament in the late 80's inthat I was suddenly a single mother with three young children to support. I never finished my college degree, because first of all, I never declared a major; and secondly, I didn't know what I was doing at college in the first place! However, I did take one piece of good advice from my mother and took business classes and learned secretarial skills. The summer of 1988, I was encouraged to take a medical terminology class through Davenport College with the hopes that, combined with my excellent typing skills, perhaps I could get a job as a medical transcriptionist and do that line of work out of my home. I had heard of other people being successful with it, so I decided to pursue that.

I enjoyed the class, sent out my resumes with the very clear objective of doing medical transcription from my home, and got no bites. Three months went by and I never got one single call! In January 1989, I answered an advertisement in the Press and interviewed with Dr. E late one Friday afternoon. He hired me on the spot without ever reading the one important line on my resume, "Must work at home." When I pointed that out to him, he was less than enthused. It's a long story, but kind Dr. E gave me a chance! I worked at home for nearly 12 years before switching over to in-office transcription. This job was such a huge answer to prayer for me and my children. I never once had to pay for childcare. I was able to pay our bills and provide for my family! What a blessing! I will always and ever be indebted to this group of kind physicians who did so much for me.

The Company logo

(I'm not going to name the company because I didn't ask

permission to put it out on the Internet in such a fashion)

After packing up my desk drawers, cleaning off my shelves

and desk top -- almost 19 years fit into ONE box!

The Luncheon:

I would have been very content to just sneak out the back door and quietly disappear from RVO with hugs all around...but there was a nice retirement luncheon for me complete with chicken salad croissants, yummy baked beans, all manner of chips and dips and veggies, and a cake that was as delicious as it was beautiful. I want to show you pictures of these fine folk I have worked with, some for a only a short time, but many for the entire span of my work years with the docs. I have been honored to work with all of these people! Chocolate cake with buttercream frosting -- my absolute favorite!
Mr. Jones has not forgiven me for not bringing him a piece home. Wasn't it so pretty?Peg (who has worked for the docs for 30+ yrs)
Teresa, Laura and Judi (also 30 yrs ?) Sonja, Mary, Mary L
and the backs of Pamela and KarenSame group, different angle Sara, Teresa, Claire, Peg, Laura, Judi
and Cheryl (former RVO long-timer) The very edge of Deb, then Emma, Linda and ConnieConnie and Loretta (Transcription cohorts!) I received a digital video camera from RVO! It does a whole host of amazing stuff
that will probably take me the rest of my life
to figure out -- but I am SO pleased! This gift is from all of the staff at RVO
They pooled their resources, went to Family Christian Stores
and picked this out for me -- PLUS a $75 gift card!

I did not expect this for even one minute!
After opening this so beautiful 20 x 24 picture
I couldn't even speak ...
I'm going to hang it in our family room
Everytime I look at it (every day)
I will remember these wonderful friends ...

Can you see what this says?
I tried to zoom in on it, but I still can't read it so --

"Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you."
PSALM 25:4-5

Isn't that awesome?

The exact prayer of my heart! :)

Would you like to see some of the other gifts I received?
The beaded utensils were made by Dr. Dale's wife, Connie
(what a teasure!)
The necklace was made by Mary L -- I LOVE it!

I also received a beautiful Willow Tree
nativity ornament from Judi (not pictured),
a huge bag of peanut M & M's (!) from Cheryl
and so many cards with kind words and well wishes ...
IT WAS ALMOST OVERWHELMING
in a nice sort of way!

Last Days at RVO:

I had my camera with me all week and so I took the opportunity to snap some pictures of these great people I have been privileged to work with ... This is Melanie just a day or two before she deliveredWilliam Brady -- he will be called Brady
He is beautiful, Melanie! This is Roni at check-inOur greeter, Teresa -- but she is so much more than that! This is Susan!And Diana! And Loree! This is Laura, surgical scheduler! Nurse John, who should have been a doc
but is the very best nurse ever ... This is Cheryl who schedules and checks-outNurse John with Terri, Teresa and MissyThis is our very own nurse Keith! Pamela and Wendi in Medical Records Greg and Jayna, who worked closely with Dylan this summerNurse Lynn in Triage! Mary L who handles referrals and a ton of other stuff ...

and my very own Janice Marie ...

I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone -- some folk have transferred out to the Southwest campus and haven't been at the downtown office regularly for quite some time. Others that I did get photos of, I haven't posted because the pictures just did not turn out very flattering!

So, this employment part of my life has come to an end. I don't regret my decision to retire. I am looking forward very much to what God has in the future for my life ... but there are a whole lot of folk that I am really going to miss ...

RVO has offices on the 3rd floor, all of the fourth
and some on the 5th floor of this building ...

As I left the office for the last time this morning,
I turned around and there on the fifth floor were the girls,
faces pressed against the windows, waving me farewell!
(I completely botched that picture) --
I laughed and waved back.
Nice way to end the day, don't you think?
Wonderful memories of wonderful people!