red flower

it occurs to me that in as little as ten days, i could be back at the hospital.  it depends on how fast personnel moves...and it occurs to me, also, that i'm leaving behind some good, wonderful people.

dr. h told me - i should warn you, i visit the hospital the first wednesday of every month.  but, he said, i don't know where the medical record office is.

it's right beside the control center and switchboard, i told him.  he looked dubious.  i have a feeling dr. h doesn't look beyond the end of his nose, or the door to his destination when he's in a strange environment.  don't worry, i added.  i'll hang a red flower outside the door so you can find it.

my experience in real prison, on the whole, has been positive.  i've made a lot of friends in all departments, especially custody.  was part of the staff community.  i looked out for my officers when it came to scheduling appointments because i care that their trip is safe.  we guarded those dates with our lives, because the lives of the transporting officers might well depend on it.  and didn't overload them because of staff shortages.  i'll make a point to leave a note behind for the next person - do not overload the officers.

i'll miss watson and his invitations to sit on his lap (all in fun), or an offer of a hug.  odd, we didn't hit it off at first.  i'll miss twinkles and his flirty self.  he really made my day when he came swaggering up with that sparkle in his eye, outrageous remarks falling off of his tongue.  i'll miss brigman, ava, you name 'em, i'll miss 'em.  but especially andrews.  she needed me.

if the responsibilities hadn't been so varied and to so many different people, including UR and health services and anybody else the job affects, i wouldn't have sought other employment.  the prison taught me a lot about my own abilities, about other people, about the world, and it gave me a confidence i never had before.  ironically, it set me free of old inhibitions and self doubts and taught me a sense of self-worth.

who would have ever thought you could find freedom behind razor wire?  certainly not me.  and i'm not giving up one single person just because of a location change.  it was a good experience, and i wouldn't have missed it.