Humans of Downey - Elvira

"Choosing the medical field just sort of happened. After I graduated from high school, a girlfriend of mine, she was dating the son of the nurse who worked for the first doctor I worked for. I was looking for a job, they said there was a position available, so I went for an interview and they hired me."
~ Elvira

Encourage one another

Just 20 miles southwest of Downey you'll find the University of California Irvine Medical Center in the city of Orange. Recently some of us went there to gather and encourage a very special lady.

Katlyn Dobrow has been in UCI medical center since February 12 because of her battle with meningococcemia, a deadly strain of meningitis. You can read about her battle here and here.

On this day we were there to encourage her mom, Kathi who has been staying at the hospital in Katlyn's room since she was first admitted. Kathi only leaves to go home for showers. We gathered to sing worship songs of encouragement while she and her husband Don enjoyed a catered meal.

It was another reminder that living in Downey, a suburb of Los Angeles, we are surrounded by the world's best medical care facilities.

Traditions

Everyone has their own holiday traditions during this time of year. One of my favorites happens to be the game of S.C.U.M. where one needs to keep the 8 ball rolling at all times using only the cue ball to throw at it. Sometimes violent, sometimes hilarious, sometimes stressful, this game will make you lose a few pounds hurtling yourself around the pool table to get to the ball. The game has no favorites. Young or old can win. But if you're playing the game right, you'll come away panting, laughing, and nursing a few bruises. Let the holidays begin!

Friendships

This is another "People of the morning" post. I met Isaac (on the right) and Jesse (with the apple) while they were walking to Downey High School. They do this each morning to get to the weight room by 6:00am. Isaac is on a Downey High football team and Jesse just wants to build some muscles. On the way though, I think they are building a strong friendship. How did you build your high school friendships? I remember my friend and I worked at a pizzeria. Every Sunday after getting paid we'd go get a sundae.

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.
Jim Morrison

Follow the oranges

A couple of months ago, I wrote about the abundance of oranges in Downey. (See If you're an orange.) So what can you do with all these oranges?

These teens decided to create a treasure hunt while they waited for their friend to get home. It started with "follow the oranges." Then, if I remember right, it went to a clue at the side of the house, back to the porch, then to the mailbox, to the fireplace, to the basketball court in back, to a closed umbrella that, when opened, dropped flower petals and a note saying, "You're awesome!".

What a great welcome home!

Some however...

As much as I want to love all dogs, some of them do not want to be loved by anyone but their own master. This one ran as soon as I walked up, and barked fearlessly from behind his owner.