Today

Today was my last day of work. They had a pot luck lunch party for me. The young girls baked me things and the

older woman hugged me and kissed me like mothers. The men wished me luck and shook my hand. One of the Anesthesiologist gave me a card with a Barnes and Noble gift certificate in it. I would always let her barrow the books I had just finished with a small written review. She would do the same thing for me. We called it the unofficial hospital book club. I will miss her conversations.

I am not a emotional person and any I do have are usually when I am alone. I didn’t think today would be any different, but I find that the 8 years I have spent with these people is kind of welling up in me. I am actually a little sad….and a little nervous….and scared.

And I didn’t see any of it coming.

Saying goodbye and starting over is a bittersweet part of this human experience we all share….

I went around with a black sharpie and wrote  NICK WAS HERE on random medical equipment and supply carts…..old man larry in housekeeping will get a good laugh out of it.

Turn the page.