Ava

Did you ever have a day where something happens and for a moment you are just floored?
I went in to see Dr. Felt (the physician who I worked with for 15 years) today to discuss a few things that I needed his advice on. I got to his building early so I made my rounds and said hi to a few of the offices & Dr.'s- It always just floods me with so many happy memories! I spent so much time at Dr. Felt's office and the Grossman Burn Center and I made some really dear friends. I am still blessed to continue to love many of our special patients and volunteer quite often. Before I went into my appointment, I went and used the restroom. This next part may sound weird...my immediate thoughts went back to when I was pregnant with Shea. I used to have to go potty so often that Dr. Felt & Gloria would actually time me and I swear I could get in & out...sometimes under 40 seconds! (Yes, including using the toilet seat cover & washing my hands with soap & water) It became a game of sorts...at my expense! (I was also reminded of the time when I was ready to deliver Shea and I answered the phone:"Dr. Felt's office, can you hold me?" instead of "Can you hold, please?" Missy, Diane & I almost peed our pants right there! Of course, it had to be a Surgeon that called and not just a patient...and to this day, he still comes up to me and says, "Can I hold you?") Today when I went in there, it brought me back to memories of my good friend, Ava. She was the phlebotomist (blood sucker) upstairs for years and she drew my blood to find out if I was indeed pregnant. Usually, it would take a day to get the results back but instead she surprised me and ran it...STAT. She came in and handed me the report and said, "Hi Mommy!" It was such a wonderful experience and something I have never forgotten. Through the years, even after Ava left the lab, Shea & I would still go out and see her in Arroyo Grande. Ava passed away from Cancer a year ago almost to the day. She was such a caring & loving friend and I was blessed to see her and spend time with her just a few days before she passed away. This story has a point...I'm getting there.
After I left the Dr.'s office, I decided to go to the bank since I was so close. There was quite a line, but in front of me was this mom with her darling baby. The little girl was about 4 months old and just full of smiles...I would talk to her and she would just coo and make all kinds of cute, little sounds! She was just the sweetest little angel! It took quite awhile before it was finally the mom's turn to go up and I just happened to ask what the baby's name was..........I couldn't frickin' believe it...AVA! C'mon what are the chances? It is not a popular name like Hailey, Emily or Amanda, etc...when have you heard of a baby named Ava? I swear my mouth just dropped open! I always say that there are no coincidences in life- God is such a wonder, huh?