Return To Work

After two weeks off from work, I returned today to my job at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Montford Psychiatric Prison  https://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/unit_directory/jm.html, in Lubbock, Texas.  Because I coordinate a chaplaincy ministry including therapy dogs for my pod about 5:30 PM on Mondays, and because I cannot work overtime due to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 2016 https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm, I have the obligation to go to work at 9:30 in the morning, instead of a more typical 7:30 AM or 8 AM arrival time. Such a difficult duty.

I did so today, and as I was going into the unit, one of my coworkers was going out of the building for a break, and gave me a hug and an enormous greeting, telling me how much I was missed.  I thanked her then, and later in the day, made a point to tell her how much her warm and heartfelt greeting meant to me.

Several other coworkers, in my office area, wanted to hear about my vacation, and made me feel welcomed back.  Two of the coworkers had a special interest in my trip: a daughter and niece is working in Yellowstone this summer.  Mom drove up with the young lady and flew home, and later this month, aunt will fly up and then drive home with the young lady.  So we have talked Yellowstone all spring.

Another coworker had done "the grand trip" several years ago, that included not just the Grand Tetons, and the Yellowstone, but Glacier National Park, and places in British Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and into California.  Her trip sounded just marvelous! I was so thankful she shared that with me.  

My supervisor called and told me not to feel I had to "hit the ground running," that I should take what time I needed to read emails and get up dated on changes, and that we had two meetings scheduled for the day.  I ultimately spent 3 hours in meetings today.  But, I did get some patient care done, although I had to reschedule my group.

And, the warden's secretary sent me an email welcoming me back.  She is so supportive of me.   I do the phone calls for patients who are new to Montford and are still in "crisis management mode" so their communication with family and friends is truncated. Both of the warden's secretaries tell me how much they appreciate me because I am so timely and helpful when I return family calls. (Why would anyone do anything different?).

Wow!  How many people are provided with that kind of validation when they return to work?  I am so blessed to have such wonderful coworkers, and such  a supportive supervisor!