HIAWATHA LIBRARY STAFF -- IS THERE ANY BETTER?

When you are given a grim prognosis it changes how you view things. You no longer have "forever" to let people know how you feel about them. You can't wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow might not come. Of course, we are all in that position but we can ignore it because as far as we know everything is OK. When you are told everything is not OK, you approach things differently. I've always tried to be thankful for the people I have in my life. Now I need to express it publicly. Those of you who know me and my family know we're very close. Somehow Rick and I have raised three loving caring children and the cutest grandsons on the earth. That closeness and love makes the diagnosis both harder and easier. The potential loss is overwhelming, but the overriding love and support only humbles me. What did I deserve to get such a wonderful family? I was raised in a loving home and so were my kids. Many people search their entire lives for that. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

And then there is my work family: the staff of the Hiawatha Library. I have put them through so much -- MS, cancer, blood infections, disability, cancer again. They don't have to stay with me, but they do. They are there for me, caring and supportive, They are my legs when I need them to be and THEY make it possible for me to keep working. I have probably a sick need to work. I love working at the library even after 21 years. I love the Hiawatha Library. I'm so proud of what we've become. I've seen the transformation from a small mostly children's library to being an important component of the Metro Library Network. As a small library we can provide a homey feel, while still providing incredible services. We don't have the most books, or the best reference, but we provide the best service. Our staff cares about the people who enter our doors and for us those people become like family -- they make us sad, mad, proud, and happy. Our staff, like most families, is dysfunctional. We don't always agree, we pout, we get mad BUT when the shit hits the fan we are there for each other. I know because I experience it everyday. I'm not going to name names, because I don't want to forget anyone, but there is almost never a day someone from our staff doesn't do something for me and make me feel like struggling with chemo is worth it, just to be around these wonderful people a little longer. I usually don't express my emotions too much. I like to be in control, but emotions are taking over. Watch out, I may become a blubbering idiot with my feelings clearly on my sleeve.

Then there's The While Others Sleep book club. Where did that wonderful group come from? What a really really cool group of people, who make my life fuller. And not just because of the books.