Nice People


 I worked with a doctor that I didn't know last night.
English wasn't their first language and my ever present irony was somewhat lost on them, which I found amusing.
Doctor " I hear that this weekend is your last here"
Me " " yes I finish my very last shift on Monday morning"
Doctor " why you are too young to be leaving work , what will you do with yourself?"
Me " I shall sit around the house eating crisps and drinking beer"
Doctor looking concerned " Do you think that is wise?"

I was rather touched by the succession of gifts and cards that found my way to my bedspace last night.
A gift from the Filipino nurses, a backbone group on itu made me smile, a series of fat club busting cakes were hidden behind the nursing station and a beautifully wrapped carrier bag of goodies which included new wellington boots, garden compost and dog treats were dropped off by another rather tearful colleague

my patient was critically ill....so I didn't have the time to get maudlin, I 've been very lucky to have worked with so many nice people.
.....and I have one more shift to go.....


48 comments:

  1. Wonderful.
    Little treats to show some of the affection your work friends have for you. xo

    cheers, parsnip, thehamish and george

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  2. As you come to the end of tonight's shift you could say "Actually I was just pulling everyone's leg. Thanks for the gifts. See you tomorrow!"

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  3. They are going to miss you! :)

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  4. Nice people attract nice people,

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  5. Of all your talents, I'll bet they miss your humor the most. Nothing makes work more enjoyable than a co-worker who makes you smile and lifts your spirit.

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  6. Probably best to keep busy during these last days...otherwise you may be overcome with emotion and change your mind....

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  7. My husband sold his business and retired. He was so happy to sell the place but he worried about what to do when not working.. we ended up going on trips, selling homes and living in various places.. cities, states, countries ... his being retired was pretty much about the most exciting fun time in our lives .. there is only fun and good stuff waiting for you ..

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  8. It's so nice to be missed.

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  9. they love you, john; you will leave a void tonight.

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  10. Oh and just think how much more time you will have to blog !

    lol

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  11. "Do you think that is wise?"
    Hahahahahahahahaha!

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  12. The gift of wellies was well chosen, how brilliant. I've just visited a friend in her third home in two years and ended up giving her one of my dustbins as I had spare and she had none, a strange but useful housewarming gift !

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  13. what a wonderful way to leave!

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  14. Ilove the difference in humour between you and the doc :-)

    Some good gifts there.

    Alan got a Haynes Pensioners Manual, a couple of Atomic War books, a huge bottle of Whiskey and lots of cards ... including one from his landlady's German Shepherd!!

    I hope your last shift is a memorable one for all the right reasons. xx

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  15. Anonymous2:56 pm

    Well, maybe a week of beer and crisps before getting back to reality?

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  16. How wonderful to be loved and appreciated. I'm sure you'll be sorely missed. Great nurses are a treasure.

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  17. You'll have a great retirement with actually more to do than you can imagine now!

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  18. Sounds like they all love you! The doctor's words were funny. Doctors take everything very seriously.

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  19. Ah, the time has come. One last night of duty. I hope it all goes well for you and your mates.

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  20. And they are jolly lucky to have worked with you and don't forget it - in fact tell them so from me!

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  21. Winding down to one more shift . . .
    Usually one has some tears along with the joy . . .
    Happy Days of Retirement John . .

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  22. I agree with the foreign doctor. Spending your retirement eating crisps and drinking beer is not a good prospect. Surely you can also do the occasional jigsaw and watch "Loose Women" on the TV.

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  23. I second Weaver's reply! They sure are gonna miss you! Tomorrow will be a bittersweet shift. May it be a specially happy one, with lots of good memories shared

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  24. Irony can be lost on anyone, language barrier or not!

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  25. What a wonderful working life you have had. Everyone you have worked with you will miss you (Maybe not everyone). Enjoy your retirement and carry on with your blog. Love and kisses to you and yours.

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  26. I have missed some of the story: what will you do in retirement? are you moving away?

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  27. I wonder how that poor doctor survives his/her role without an understanding of humour.

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  28. Anonymous8:46 pm

    Well dang, co-workers threw boots and shoes, rocks and bottles, and chased me out of the clinic with pine torches and slobbering hounds. I should go back and stay until they treat me better.

    They're gonna miss you.

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  29. Such great memories to take with you, John.

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  30. Anonymous9:59 pm

    I remember with embarrassment many years ago my last day working at a place after being there several years. The day wore on just as work days always had, no indication of being special. In the end I got fed up and went home early. What were they going to do fire me? I got a phone call, get your sorry self back to work! It turns out that they had arranged gifts and a card, to be presented in the afternoon break, and I'd left!

    I wish you a very long and happy retirement!

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  31. "Do not go gently into that good night..." While Thomas' poem may not be exactly appropriate, take it at face value for whatever your future holds. Best to you and Chris.
    Mike

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  32. Just being curious, anybody give you a set of plastic antlers?

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  33. Anonymous1:15 am

    Thank you for this.

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  34. How wonderful for you....one more shift. Happy retirement to you... but I expect it will be bittersweet. Fabulous to get gifts from co-workers and friends.

    Jo in Auckland, NZ

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  35. Happy Retirement! May your last shift go smoothly! x

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  36. Happy retirement John.
    Lisa x

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  37. You are indeed lucky and as I always tell my own children, there are far more nice people than nasty ones. Wishing you a well-deserved retirement filled with adventures, love and laughter!

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  38. You are indeed lucky and as I always tell my own children, there are far more nice people than nasty ones. Wishing you a well-deserved retirement filled with adventures, love and laughter!

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  39. When you enjoy what you do it makes everything easier. Good co workers certainly make it easy.

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  40. Quite a turning point in your life. I hope your stockpile of crisps and beer (and scotch eggs) is big enough to last you the next six months....

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  41. Excited for your next phase! I see a half marathon in your future.

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  42. Dancing, coming to Comic Con, huddling inside in the rain with a wet book...I can see you now.

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