As I finished my last day at my Fifth Avenue office, I moved the few remaining items out of my office. I parked my car across the street and rushed to get my computer, ekg machine, gowns, drape sheets and remaining lab supplies into the car. I carted things down and a gust of air suddenly blew all my papers gowns and drape sheets all over Fifth Avenue. It was an amazing sight! Imagine a whirlwind of blue and white!

I realized the depth of New Yorkers when I watched strangers scurrying around to capture the gowns and sheets, even when I kept shouting that it didn’t really matter. What I was really scared about that a cop would arrest me for littering and I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. I frantically emptied the cart into my car, and hurried around trying to pick up whatever I could.

Certainly moving is such a stressful moment, but I can honestly say that it has been filled with laughter as well. Sure, it’s been difficult to coordinate patient care during the move. My threshold has been lowered and it’s been hard to deal with complaining patients, but I’ve also been rewarded by great patients who have been very supportive during the move. I’ve  been blessed with a great medical assistant who is my right arm.

As I loaded the last load, I noticed I had ten minutes to spare. My municipal parking ticket was valid until 4:50 PM. I sat in the car, rested my head back and just took a deep breath. Suddenly the rain started, and I was reveling in the pellets of rain that were hitting the car, which acted as an impenetrable shield. I was surrounded by my computer, ekg machine, printer, centrifuge,  and disassembled cart. But I had escaped the rain.

I drove towards the Holland Tunnel, in no particular rush to get home, even though I had hit rush hour traffic. My job was done for the day. Tomorrow is another day.