I Bet You Didn’t Know…

That I’m a Respiratory Therapist. Well, I was a Respiratory Therapist until Gracie was 6 months old. I still keep all of my paperwork current just in case I need/want to go back to work. Gracie doesn’t like for me to pay my fee each year to the National Boards. She’s afraid I will go back to work.

The first time she realized what “bill” I was paying (my certification), she said why are you paying them ? “Who is going to watch ME?” I can remember those exact words. I explained that I may have to go back to work someday. She didn’t like that idea. I do work some now, but it is subbing at Gracie’s school. She’s used to me being right around where she is. She’s not clingy, she just doesn’t want want me too far away. She wants me at safe distance.

I went to Respiratory Therapy School right after a year of college. I went to work at Arkansas Methodist Hospital before I was 20 years old. I grew up in the hospital really. I met my husband there. We fell in love there. I built lasting friendships at the hospital. I found out that I was pregnant in the Respiratory Department’s bathroom. Gracie was born at the same hospital. Anything major that happened in my life prior to Gracie being born, most likely happened in connection with the hospital.

One thing I remember about hospital life is pony tails or short hair. We were supposed to keep our hair back at all time. I kept mine up in a pony tail all the time. This carried over after work too. It was a terrible rut that I was in. Not that my hair is anything spectacular now, but it’s not in a pony tail everyday. I also think about uniforms. We all had to wear uniforms. Most departments had to wear certain colors. At one time, nursing uniforms were burgundy or white and Respiratory Therapy wore blue. Scrubs were so comfy!

Gracie doesn’t have to worry about me going back to the hospital right now. I’m happy subbing at school and being close to her. I don’t miss pulling call at the hospital or the overtime during the winter. I like being home with her and I love the fact that she wants me home with HER. Life with Gracie is so great!

Gracie and Sonya at school- we stick together these days