{ The glory days. }
After 40 years of scanning patients, Dad turned in his badge, claimed old age and now enters the season of retirement.
There are projects to be done, lists that have been running long overdue for years and mornings to sleep in as the alarm clock is turned off for good. No more beepers, pagers or complaints of pushing stretchers around the hospital. No more politics, on call shifts, days without lunch breaks or breakfast spent in the cafeteria enjoying biscuits and gravy. Mom is now on her own, a hallway away from Dad's CT scanning room, where she'll have to adjust to working a days shift without her honey an extension away. An adjustment for both of them.
Dad had a grand plan arranged for sliding out without notice. Too bad for him, word got out and the party planning committee quickly put things into action. Thanks to Pure Bliss Desserts, there were cheesecakes for all of the X-Ray department to enjoy as the three of us kids came to celebrate with Dad. Of course encounters with the ER had to be remembered too as Dr. Dag Jensen arranged for the Cat scan cake, stubby finger fish food cake and the moment when Dad fell off the ladder on a fire call.
{ Celebrating Papa with family and grandkids. }
Prior to the hospital, Dad drove ambulance for United General where he experienced the worst call of his entire career. Some scenes are harder to forget than others as most in the medical industry can attest too. After falling in a pond and being pulled out by their mother, dad arrived to find two girls laying under the Christmas tree, lifeless, in need of resuscitation. Only one made it that day. Between the hospital and fire department, I too, have many tragic memories witnessing Dad's career unfolding before me.
Paul started his career back in 1970, working south at University of Washington Medical Center. With the Huskie Stadium being so close, Dad certainly took advantage of the cheap seats at $4 a piece on game day. The other benefit was having access to the athletic department across the street playing racket ball for free. He then transferred to St. Luke's South Campus in 1975, enjoying the small hospital feel, knowing everybody and having limited politics. In the late 1980's, Dad made his final career move to St. Joseph Main Campus rounding out a total of 40 years of service behind the CAT scan machine.
My best memories are from St. Luke's where my childhood McDreamy crush worked side by side with Dad. Devlin was a ladies man and a cute one I may add, even though I was not even double digits at the time. A girl can dream. Ask any women in the X-ray department today and they'll know exactly who I'm talking about!
{ McDreamy is on the bottom left in fancy scrubs. }
Then there were the scary moments of being tossed in the red reading room through the round tunnel door and of course sitting on Dad's lap pushing buttons during scans. Probably should keep that on the down low, but I'm sure it's no surprise that times have changed dramatically since then. I will always remember picking up chestnuts in the parking lot and walking in the front ER doors, turning left to get to the X-Ray department and getting an X-ray if needed. Some Sunday's we would go and have lunch in the cafeteria; my choice usually was the egg salad sandwich. Then came the main campus where I would visit Dad with Addison sharing lunch together or sneaking candy treats and stickers from those working by Dad's side.
{ Dr. Crabo and Dr. Dag Jensen }
{ Co-workers creating a tunnel and send off to retirement. }
Paul was the senior in the group. Everyone in the department knows about our family and Dad boasted with beaming pride when sharing about his grand kids. My work ethic, commitment and ownership in work came from the years of Dad's employment giving me a solid foundation, an abundance of provision and sense of security through his countless hours of labor. I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices made to accomplish such an amazingly strong finish in Dad's career.
This painting below can be found near the East entrance of the hospital; a legacy of service remembered.
Thank you doesn't seem enough for what you gave me and the endless stream of patients that entered the CT room.
This community thanks you for serving us well.
{ Happy Retirement Dad! }
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