Ali and I worked together for five years at Purcell Marian High School.  One of my favorite years there was the last year that the Four Musketeers were all there together – Ali, Jen, Bob, and me.  We did pretty much everything together.  And if one of us was planning something, then it was expected that the rest of us would help out in some way – i.e. Turkey Bowl, Food and Clothing Drive, Kairos, Shantytown (sleeping outside to raise awareness for homelessness) – the list goes on and on.  We did our share of service projects together and, because of Ali, we made sure it was never dull when doing it.

In fact, that reminds me, no holiday went uncelebrated, no staff birthday unrecognized during Ali’s time at PM.  The library was always decorated for the seasons, which employed the free labor of students to pack and unpack her many containers of decorations.  And we always participated in the dress-up days (and she usually got others to do it too, just because she’s Ali).  I think my favorite dress-up outfit is a tie between our 80s wear and Disney outfits.  We were serious when it came to dressing up.  We searched Goodwills and local thrift stores together just to make sure we were the best dressed.  The year we took students to Disney World for Intersession (and yes, it was educational), we decided it would be fun to dress up as Disney characters for our station at the annual Purcell Marian Walk.  Yep, at the intersection of Erie and Marburg Aves, four adults dressed up to cheer on the students.  We got lots of stares, a lot of honks, and lots of people took our picture too.

After that year, Bob and Jen moved on to new adventures and Ali and I returned to PM the next year.  Things were different after that.  I had a baby boy over the summer and returned after maternity leave.  It was a difficult transition for me.  Coming to work with less than four hours of sleep wasn’t compatible with 7:50am homeroom.  Ali was also known for her tardiness to school – she just wasn’t a morning person.  During that year, there were actually several days when she made it to school before I did.  Somedays we both would be sprinting from our cars at 7:48am to make it before the bell.  Ok, I was the one sprinting, Ali was just walking briskly because she didn’t sprint or run or anything like that.  And I knew it was bad if I pulled into the parking lot and her car was there before me.

As many of us can attest, Ali was especially great at two things – celebrating birthdays and taking care of babies.  Since Jen and I both had a birthday in March, Ali would insist on making dinner for all of us to celebrate.  When Ali was in the hospital in March right after her cancer diagnosis, Jen and I decided that we still needed to celebrate our birthdays as we had done for years so we brought the cake to Ali’s room with candles (that we couldn’t light because of the fire hazard-oops).  It was difficult to celebrate considering the news we were all trying to grasp, but Ali didn’t allow her fear or pain ruin the moment.  And I witnessed her live that way into the fall.

Ali’s ability to take care of babies still amazes me.  My son, Liam, came to school with me on several occasions in that first year.  As soon as Ali found out that Liam was in the building, she would summon me to the library, which I gladly obliged.  It was hard for me to get any work done when he was there.  I just didn’t have the knack for typing with one hand and a baby in the other arm.  Whenever Ali cradled Liam in her arm, he would fall fast asleep.  Two hours later I’d receive a call from her saying I needed to send up a diaper and wipes and that he might be hungry too.  And can someone please tell me how she was able to clean up a really messy diaper with one measly wet wipe? Seriously.  It took me five or six wipes when I witnessed her manage one of those poops with one wipe.

Not only was sleep deprivation killing me that year, but it was also the year that I started prerequisite classes for nursing.  When I first broke the news to Ali and Jen, they were excited for me and Ali said, “you’ll be a great nurse, Shannon.”  Those words continue to ring throughout my head.  I heard them during my 13-month accelerated program at UC.  When I thought the intense classes and clinicals were almost too much to bear, her words echoed in the back of my mind.  I heard the words as I took my licensing exam in September.  As I sat in the testing cubicle, I said one last prayer to Ali and I sent up a silent thank you to her when I received the news that I had passed. I recently accepted an RN position at University Hospital and everyday I feel Ali’s presence with me as I’m caring for patients.  I know she is there to remind me to be patient, to be compassionate, and to give the best care possible no matter the circumstance.  Lastly, to honor Ali, I bought a pink stethoscope, and even though it’s not the most fashionable accessory, at least I’m rockin’ pink everyday.

Dress like a student day.

Dress 80’s day. Oh wait, maybe this one was “dress how you do on the weekends” day. 🙂

I love this picture of you three. I hope you both have it framed.

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Thanks for sharing Shannon. I really enjoyed hearing those memories because I remember them so clearly. I can assure you that you are a great nurse. I know that Ali is SO proud of you for pursuing. I hope you continue to think of her often. Maybe you can channel her diaper changing skills while changing your future babes? Thanks for being such a good friend to her. Love, Melanie.