Reflections of my years at Sunshine Terrace

I believe that during my 60 years thus far, my greatest accomplishment has been the birth of my four children and being with my best friend and husband Don or Doc as he is known to everyone. Of course my family and friends are next in line. However like many of us who at some time join the work force, I have had some interesting jobs. Everything from a young teenager working at Orange Julius in Las Vegas, to working for the Salem Keizer school district for almost twelve years. Most of those years were gratifying and some were not depending on who I worked with like most of us have experienced. Then we moved to Logan and I worked for the Cache Valley school district for one year and that was ok.

But then fate stepped in and and  led my footsteps to Sunshine Terrace Skilled Nursing Center and thus the best years of my career began.  As I have said before Cindy J and Leanne, my supervisor, took a chance on this middle aged lady and hired me as a social work assistant. One year later I had unearthed my dusty degree and studied and passed the Utah licensure exam making me an official Social Service Worker!  I do believe that when one feels respected and validated and becomes a team member, it makes all the difference whether you are a social worker or a house keeper .. The seven years I was there brought challenges I had to overcome and skills I learned to master that I never thought I would!  So when we left I felt a void that would never quite be the same nor will I.

The residents were like family to me and I respected their life story and mourned with their families when they passed. My co-workers became like family to me and oh how I will always treasure the laughs, Danny’s practical jokes to me, and my relationships with the staff.

Don became a loved member of the SST family when he started painting a mural that later was hung in the hallway to the dining room. It is called Hollywood Legends and all the residents and their families love looking at it and lovingly remembering their memories of the movie stars they grew up watching in movies. He also painted an old Logan city scene mural which hangs on Memory Lane, the Alzheimers wing. Later he was hired to do the creative artwork for SST and the new logo is one of his many talented contributions.

So, these have been pictures of my retirement party which was lovingly organized by Leanne and given to me on my last day July 9, 2013. Thank you for the best years of my career and I love to say, “Till we meet again. “