Goodbyes and Picnics

One of the hardest things about life on the ship, especially for those of us who are on the ship long-term, is saying goodbye. Goodbye to patients, goodbye to friends, goodbye to fellow nurses.
This week two of the nurses on my ward are going home. We decided to have a goodbye picnic down at the beach. Those of us who were not on shift walked together through the port down to the beach (about a 30 minute walk) and shared chicken sandwiches, played in the surf, and watched a beautiful sunset together. It was a wonderful evening, full of friends and smiles.
People come, people go, but the love remains, the memories remain, and the mission remains. We will continue to bring hope and healing, we will continue to follow the model of Jesus. We will. Together.