A Ghost at the Front Lines

 
I worked from January of 1978 until January of 2019 mostly in ICU settings as a Respiratory Therapist and then a Critical Care Nurse. I did my best and worked alongside many brilliant and astounding medical professionals. Like those others I have a niche of PTSD associated with that, but who doesn't?
What is more important to me are the persons I worked with during those decades whom I trusted during times of technicality and duress. I can't possibly remember them all (and I worked a lot of hospitals in California!) but it matters not, I remember the best, regardless.

I admit I'm a ghost
But I never disappear,
I worked with hundreds of people
And if you see me in ten years,
I will be just the same
As if we talked only yesterday,
It's wonderful to see you
That's what I will say.

Our service together
We worked side by side,
Sometimes it was easy
And other days a rough ride,
But I trusted your decisions
Your ideas and actions,
I never walked away thinking
There ought to be some redactions.

.
I will think, ya, we're survivors
Warriors of the same ilk,
Maybe I came from cotton
And you were of silk,
But it never really mattered
On the battlefield, my friend,
I'm really glad that I bumped into you
And that's not pretend.