'Tis a happy Friday, indeed

See I didn't run away forever! I'm back. It was wonderful traveling to a place that is so unlike the Hades RehabLand has become in the last week. I sure miss outdoor air conditioning.

I didn't have to go to work today, but being the type A personality I am, I had to go see something in my office. First, I spilled my coffee all over and made a huge mess. Then I found it.

At 1150 something last night, one of the service chiefs read her e-mail. She found out what I was going to share with the bigwigs when I got back to work, because they sent her an e-mail.

Yes, yours truly won a prize. Mostly bragging rights, but big enough. I won the top poster contest at Mongo nursing conference. Not just a regular local, state or regional outfit...nosirree, I won a prize in the big leagues, almost Olympics: an international conference.

What was my reaction? Shock really. I hope no one taped it, because at first, I couldn't see the screens at the front (since I was sitting with my new traveling partner Lucita in the back having a good time) with my poster, my name and my employer, Madison General Medical Center on it, either.

My advisor actually gave me the stand in certificate, since they're sending the printing of the real one to Geneva or somewhere and it will come in 6-8 weeks. "RehabRN, you're shaking" she said. "Sorry," I replied. "I just can't believe I won. I went through hell to get to go to this conference."

And she knew that I did. I was rejected by every level of official I talked to at Madison and elsewhere in order to get funding to go to this conference--local, state, district, service line--you name it. Madison couldn't give me time off because my presence was not "of substantial benefit to Madison." (Yes, that's what the Chief Educator said) But, there I was with the lady who gave me the courage to keep going. She got me partial funding, and once I saw the program where she and several other PublicU instructors would be there, I told her, "I don't care. You got me some money. I'm going. I'm going to meet Bob (the other instructor)."

However, in a long career, SK has always looked to make nursing better. And I'm damn proud I could return the favor by winning a big prize in the name of PublicU. Bob even gave me a hug. (He's a prince, really.)

And as Kay, one of my local mentors told me to do, I said hello on her behalf to several of the superstar people (she gave me a list of who I should talk to). They were a bit startled that a nobody like me would seek them out, but since they all know her, they laughed once I relayed her message.

"That's something Kay would do...send a student with a message." one said, chuckling. "Tell her we miss her when you get back to RehabLand."

And so I did. Kay just smiled.

Happy Friday all wherever you are. Dreams sometimes do come true. Stay on them like glue until they do!