Where Are They Now? — Melinda Bradshaw (Garrett)
Getting to today has taken longer than it took us to get to high school graduation but it sure seems to have arrived much sooner. The last 20 years have been good to me, although after reading this you may not think so.
I left the halls of Provo High to attend BYU for a semester or two, until I hit the chemistry needed for nursing (if you remember that my dad was a chemistry professor this part can seem kind of humorous). Rather than have him tutor me and help me get through I decided to quit and go to travel school. At that point 3 months to get my certificate seemed much better then the 4 years of college.
I moved to Seattle and became a corporate travel agent. That's where I met my first husband. Little did I know that when you all voted me most likely to get married right out of high school that it would have the energizer bunny effect. Anyway, we were married for three years, just long enough for me to figure out that I real ly did want to be a nurse so I went back to school and got my LPN. During this time I met and married my second husband. We were together for 5 years, married for 1 and then divorced.
A few years later I kind of maxed out on the things that an LPN can do and decided to go back for my RN. During that time I met and married my third husband. I graduated with my associates RN in 2001 and have been very happy that I chose to get my degree.
About a year after I graduated my husband and I decided to part ways and so, once again I was on my own. Shortly after that my family found out that my mother had Alzheimer's so I spent a lot of time during the next years taking care of her until she passed away in 2005.
I have worked in long term care, rehab, hospice, OB, labor & delivery, offices, clinics, surgery and now own my own business as a legal nurse consultant. That means that I work with malpractice attorneys who are looking at medical malpractice cases. It's really interesting and gives a view of nursing that I don't think can be obtained anywhere else.
Three years ago I met my current husband and, believe it or not, he's the one I was looking for the whole time. I know, I know, just call me Liz Taylor. =D We are currently in the middle of the application process to find out if I will be accepted in to the Navy Nurse Corps. It's a long explanation but if you are interested, ask me at they reunion as to why I am doing Navy at this point in my life. I should know for sure whether or not I have been selected by the time the reunion comes around so I can fill you in then.
I left the halls of Provo High to attend BYU for a semester or two, until I hit the chemistry needed for nursing (if you remember that my dad was a chemistry professor this part can seem kind of humorous). Rather than have him tutor me and help me get through I decided to quit and go to travel school. At that point 3 months to get my certificate seemed much better then the 4 years of college.
I moved to Seattle and became a corporate travel agent. That's where I met my first husband. Little did I know that when you all voted me most likely to get married right out of high school that it would have the energizer bunny effect. Anyway, we were married for three years, just long enough for me to figure out that I real ly did want to be a nurse so I went back to school and got my LPN. During this time I met and married my second husband. We were together for 5 years, married for 1 and then divorced.
A few years later I kind of maxed out on the things that an LPN can do and decided to go back for my RN. During that time I met and married my third husband. I graduated with my associates RN in 2001 and have been very happy that I chose to get my degree.
About a year after I graduated my husband and I decided to part ways and so, once again I was on my own. Shortly after that my family found out that my mother had Alzheimer's so I spent a lot of time during the next years taking care of her until she passed away in 2005.
I have worked in long term care, rehab, hospice, OB, labor & delivery, offices, clinics, surgery and now own my own business as a legal nurse consultant. That means that I work with malpractice attorneys who are looking at medical malpractice cases. It's really interesting and gives a view of nursing that I don't think can be obtained anywhere else.
Three years ago I met my current husband and, believe it or not, he's the one I was looking for the whole time. I know, I know, just call me Liz Taylor. =D We are currently in the middle of the application process to find out if I will be accepted in to the Navy Nurse Corps. It's a long explanation but if you are interested, ask me at they reunion as to why I am doing Navy at this point in my life. I should know for sure whether or not I have been selected by the time the reunion comes around so I can fill you in then.
No, I don't have children. No, I don't regret any of my life experiences because they have made me who I am today. Yes, a lot of those experiences were painful but, looking back, definitely worth it. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone that can make it. I also recognize that two days is just not enough time to catch up so thank heavens for e mail.
See you soon!
See you soon!
Melinda (Bradshaw) Garrett
Comments
What a coincidence that we are in the same field, when there aren't that many of us out there. We'll have to talk at the reunion. You look great and very happy!
Cheryl (Gardner)Armstrong
I was so fun to see you in April. It will be great to see you again at the reunion. You look soooooo good. I am so glad you are so happy now. You deserve it. See you soon.
I was sad to hear about your mothers death. I know that the time you spent with her meant a lot to her and your dad. He would let me know how things were going.
I think that my mom just this last year got rid of that little tree house. funny the things that we remember....
Jenn
I didn't even recognize you with the blonde hair... love it!
I have missed exchanging Christmas cards with you.
I was so sorry to hear about your mom... she was such a great lady! I will never forget her sugar cookies!
I am so glad to see that things are going well for you.
We certainly had some fun times together from the halls of Wasatch to PHS. Your friendship means a lot to me.
I can't wait for you to meet my kids...
and as for my boys, I love having boys. My parents really missed out.
My Parents are great. They are living in St. George and have a home here in Santaquin so that they can come visit us.
Tiffany and her family live here in Santaquin as well. She has 2 girls and 2 boys. She has a little girl with down syndrome who is our little sunshine.
Melissa is living in Cedar Hills. She recently moved back to Utah County from Boise, Idaho. She has 2 boys and 1 girl.
Tracy is living in Texas. She is still Tracy... She has 2 girls and 1 boy.
I could go on and on... can't wait to catch up at the reunion.
Love ya!
I look forward to catching up at the reunion!
Great memories of Oak Hills for sure. I still think it was more of a liability to be the only boy in a sea of girls...only too late to realize that might have been a good thing in retrospect. It's great to read what you've been up to and hope to see you soon!
Howard
Take care
Jayson Clements
I'm with Marvin Dean. Reading your post made me think back to good old Wasatch school. Do you remember the principle Mr. Edenfield I think. He was the one who always wore his pants up to his chest. Fun days.
Best,
Lois Decker (Brown)
Thanks for all of the nice things you said on my post - you look fabulous as a blonde and yes, gravity has been nice so far!!
Erica Jarman Jenks