I do believe I have been changed for the better

My job is a difficult one. It is not easy to deal day in and day out with elderly people who are abused, neglected, live in squalor, have severe dementia and being financially exploited. It can really be hard on my mental state much of the time. I have been doing work with the elderly for 3 years now and have found it the most difficult work I have ever done; much more difficult that working with children, young adults, and victims of domestic violence. All these fields are challenging and draining in their own ways however.

I believe what has gotten my through each day of my job is my AMAZING co-workers. What an incredible group of people I am blessed to work with. I am especially close to my "ladies" who have become like my sisters, like family, while I have been out her in Mass. There are four of us, who have a particularly close bond. I love these women so much; each of them has such unique personalities, and they have all made living so far from family so much easier. I have had a difficult time as two of them are leaving the agency for other jobs this month. It is hard for me not to get emotional thinking that I wont get to see and talk with these two on a daily basis. I know we will keep in touch, but I also know thinks will not be the same at work.
Julie's last day was Friday. She is going to practice law at a law firm in Lowell, which I know she will be great. Julie is my "Sassy Sister." I think I have met my match in the Sass department. She is so quick witted and sarcastic; I just cannot get enough of it. She calls me "FRESH" it is a New England term, but I think it translates into "you are incredibly funny." I will miss Julie's humor and smile the very most.

Gloria's last day is this Friday. She is going to be a Supervisor over a home care department much closer to her new home. We have always called Gloria, "Switzerland" because she can remain so neutral and open minded; see all sides of the situation. I know she will be great at her new position. It has been great to see Gloria grow in our two years of working together, she has found the love of her life, got engaged, bought a condo, became vegan and will soon be married. This is one strong woman who has been my go to gal when I am having a good and bad day.
We crazily signed up to run a 1/2 marathon together in November, so we'll be doing lots of chatting about our training I am sure. We will also be doing the triathlon together this September.

Luckily we have an all girls weekend planned in Maine this August, so it wont be long until we are all together again, laughing and carrying on.

Luckily for me, Kelly is still around, so I don't have to feel like an abandoned soul.
I love these women so much. We have cried together, done a lot of laughing together, accomplished goals together and supported each other more than we'll ever realize.
Change is never easy, but always necessary!
Good luck my Sassy Sister and my Swiss Miss!