Chapter I: IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS THE DREAM JOB...

Why people read things that other people write about themselves puzzles me, except that I do it, too, so I puzzle myself!

This is my story, about my retirement decision, the actual retirement itself, and the adventures it has afforded me.... up to this point.  I'm told it may bring up painful, sad memories that might make me, or others, uncomfortable.  Remember, it is MY story, from MY point of view, and is meant to point no fingers, place no blame, or cause hurt to anyone.  If you don't like what I'm writing, click out of it.  Pure and simple.

Okay...here goes:

All my life I wanted to work at the Barnwell County Hospital, in any job, anywhere.  My mom worked there as an RN for many years and I guess now that she has passed on, it would make me feel more connected to her, and that she would be proud of me.  When the opportunity arose in late February 2008 to apply for a full time job, which I desperately needed to support myself since being widowed four years prior, I was so afraid it wouldn't work out.  But silly me, the Lord always takes care of me and I know that, I just forget to trust Him sometimes.

I interviewed with the Chief Nursing Officer ~ the best, most relaxed interview I have ever had.  We seemed to be kindred spirits, and when she talked about her dream to make BCH a Magnet Hospital, I was hooked. I wanted in on the ground floor of that exciting time! I had references from friends who were employed in several departments over the hospital.   I was offered the job as her assistant, providing support to the Nursing Department if needed.

My first day was March 4, 2008.  That very day, when greeted by a long-time employee known for a bitter attitude, I expressed my delight at being part of the BCH 'team'.  I was informed in short order and no uncertain terms that "there isn't a team here.  It's a lot of little teams looking out for their own interests. You can forget being part of any team, ha ha".  Well, I considered the source and didn't believe this, so went about settling in to my office, the first (and ultimately, the only!) real office I ever had in a job.  I have had cubbies, front desks to work from, a closet turned into transcription room once, a shared office with another secretary, but never a real office all to myself, with a WINDOW, OMG!!!  One small glitch...there wasn't a computer yet.  Hmmmm.  How does a typist/secretary provided support when she has nothing to type on, nothing to research information on the internet with?  THREE WEEKS LATER, after multiple notes and phone messages to the IT department literally begging for a computer, I was rewarded with one that had belonged to someone else, with many programs wiped from it.  I kept having to re-invent the wheel the whole time I worked there, from not having access to documents to work from without completely retyping, but I plugged along -  happily, I might add, the majority of the time.

It was my dream job.  It didn't pay what I had asked for, but it was full time, and steady, and I LOVED WHAT I WAS DOING!  The 'boss' had projects everywhere to work on, never a dull moment, a different task and challenge nearly every day, and my hours just flew by.  I often stayed late just to hang out and be a part of what was happening.  I felt needed, appreciated, competent and content.