The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Moving On

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

7 April 2000

By now, Burlington Medical Center as we once knew it, is history.

The place our babies were born, operations and emergency care was given, and the place we remember we visited many of our grandparents, family members and friends is closed.

It is a loss most of us share. In fact, many of us opened our eyes for the first time held by a doctor or nurse from BMC.

We each have our stories and memories and some, not so happy ones.

We all have shared the memory of viewing the mighty Mississippi River carrying its many barges and pleasure boats on its waters.

The view from the window of BMC's hospital room's was always a pleasure during a recuperation period.

The nurses, physicians, and staff of BMC have given us many hours of care and comfort as we worried over the hurts and tragedies of our families, friends, and of ourselves.

One of my children, always hated it when we moved. She had become accustomed to things and became so attached that she almost was sick by the time we would move.

She would plead and beg to keep things just as they were. "I like my room," she would say.

No matter how much I told her that her new home and room would be even better, she doubted that she would feel as comfortable there.

But, after we moved in, she quickly adapted to her new place and began feeling a strong attachment toward her new bedroom and home as if she had been there forever.

I never could understand this, for change was exactly what kept me motivated.

I liked change all the way from the furniture in my rooms, to the clothes in my closet, as well as a varied meal plan at our table.

But there are some things that I look back on with fondness, and that is my grandparents farm, their pond, and the fact that Sunday was always the day we would go visit them. I also, enjoyed riding my horse out to their farm which took me most of the morning.

After my grandparents moved into a little house in town, it took me several years before I could stop thinking about the farm. But the house in town better served my grandparents needs. And it was closer and more convenient for us as well.

Burlington Medical Center's replacement, Great River Medical Center which opened this week (April 4), is sure to feel even better than our past facility.

Sure, we will struggle in finding parking, in finding patients and clinics at first, but soon it will become old hat to us and we will grow to love the facility that will care for our loved ones as well as provide jobs for some of our family members.

Without change, life would be like a merry-go-round, and we would never progress into the great nation that we have become today.

As my daughter and many other registered nurses, doctors and staff moved into the new facilities of Great River Medical Center Tuesday, in West Burlington, Iowa, they are quickly adjusting to the beautiful and spacious up-to-date facility.

Although everything may seem a bit strange at first, because it is different, soon everyone will become even more comfortable than they were before. Good memories are already being built there as babies are being born, and patients are being cared for in the same caring way as BMC.

After our moves, I always asked my daughter, "Now aren't you glad we moved?" And. of course, she was and said she would never give up her new place to return to the old.