hello/goodbye

The ship is filling up again; this weekend we had almost 40 new nurses arrive. The culture of Hello/goodbye is again taking over the ship.

One of the most amazing things about being in the ship is living and working with people of different cultures, different ages, different vocations, different walks of life, and different lengths of service.

One of the most difficult things about being on the ship is living and working with people of different cultures, different ages, different vocations, different walks of life, and different lengths of service.

I clearly remember my first few weeks of ship life. I was new and I felt it. There was an understood reserve that separated those who were long term and those who had just arrived. I didn't really understand it.

I have spent 8 months on the ship. I have been able to build some great relationships with people. Things finally feel a bit more comfortable; a bit more "home like".

I have also said goodbye to some really dear people. The sadness in the constant saying goodbye to friends is not something I could have ever really prepared myself for. And not something I would have expected.

I remember my first goodbye to my kindred spirit friend Crystal. I would not describe myself as a part curly sensitive or emotional individual (despite my being female) but I was really, really, sad when she left. Even a little emotional. Even a little sensitive.

All this to say, I can now better understand the reserve of the long term crew members that I found a bit unnerving when I first arrived. Relationships take energy, time, and vulnerability.At the end of the day you only have so much energy and it can be difficult to find the balance between making new friends and cherishing your old ones; who substitute as your family on board. It's especially hard when you know your going to say goodbye soon anyway.

Today I hole punched and sorted papers for seven hours and the mindless activity provided me some good thinking time. My mind drifted towards heaven I started thinking and how wonderful it will be.

It will be so nice to spend eternity with the assortment of lovely people I am having the privilege of meeting in this lifetime. To have the time that we often don't get here, to sit down with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and talk and laugh for countless hours. It's nice to think that someday we could all love each other perfectly; experience perfect fellowship, have no seeds of discord, and no goodbyes. We won't struggle with each other; we won't struggle with ourselves.

It's a comforting thought to know that as Christians we are all part of an eternal family and that our hearts, minds, and energies ought to be pointed towards heaven rather that the small grain of time our lives become. It's comforting to know that the goodbyes we temporally make here; whether it be a friend we knew for three months in Africa or brother we've known our whole lives, will be exponentially compensated for in heaven.

Already I have met some really lovely people. I just had a "creative night" with a new friend, (she is a real artisit who does exhibits..I simple colored with my pastels). I discovered yesterday that one of the new nurses works in the Cardiac ICU at my home hospital, CHOP. And I might be the same person as my new friend Ali :).

I hope that my list of favorite people will continue to grow.