I can never get a job at Wal-Mart after this.

So I had a dream last night about the way things used to be at the shop.. when there was meat, and fruit, and vegetables.. when everyone was family and got along and we saw families get on their feet on a monthly basis.
I woke up depressed and nostalgic for the old days, because I'm moving next year. Georgia has been my home for 10 years. This house has been my place of comfort.. it has worked miracles not only in my life, but others as well. I've put people on my couch for months to get them off meth... one girl is now on TV doing commercials for the college she graduated from as a paralegal.
I have pulled up A.C.'s obituary alot in the past weeks.. but this morning it had new meaning for me. Looking at all of his accomplishments, I realize I have made but a small impact.. and I want to do more. I NEED to do more. I need a place where I can make a bigger impact. And it's time to let someone use the magic of this house to help heal them.
Will I ever be able to list as many things as he has? Absolutely not. But I can try to live up to his legacy. He made it his life's work to help people. A man walked up to my Mother at the viewing and said that he had invented something that would save lives.. a device that immediately cooled one's body temperature down in the event of a certain crisis..and that A.C was the one- the only one- that gave him the go ahead to try it. He said that the 5 people whose lives it had saved wanted him to tell Mom thank you for them. And that is just one small story of the many that we heard.
So I'm moving.
But I must..we ALL must.. be pretty important in the long run if we were special enough to have this man put into our lives.
I can't wait to see what I can do.
I love you, A.C.



UPDATE: AC Buchanan, RHS President and CEO, dies at 56 08/07/08 - 10:38 AM RSS Feed .. --> end div headline -->
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Alexandria, LA - Rapides Healthcare System's president and chief executive officer, A.C. Buchanan, died Tuesday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from complications due to leukemia. He was 56. Buchanan served as president and chief executive officer at Rapides Regional Medical Center (RRMC) since March 1999. In 2002, he was named president and chief executive officer for the Rapides Healthcare System, which is comprised of RRMC, Avoyelles Hospital, Marksville, Oakdale Community Hospital, Oakdale, Savoy Medical Center, Mamou and Winn Parish Medical Center, Winnfield. Buchanan's leadership of Rapides Regional Medical Center and the Rapides Healthcare System were a testament to his long career in healthcare administration. After earning his bachelor's degree at Texas Christian University, he was a medical platoon leader in the U.S. Army. Buchanan went on to earn a master's degree in public administration from TCU and a master's degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University.
He served as an administrator and CEO of six hospitals across Texas and Louisiana including a four-hospital system before taking the helm of Rapides in 1999. He also worked as a managed care consultant in Texas. Visionary Buchanan's years in central Louisiana anchored an extraordinary career in which he continued the tradition set by those before him, growing RRMC into one of the top hospitals in the state. Through his leadership and strong interest in women's and children's services, RRMC became home to the area's largest neonatal intensive care unit and the area's only pediatric intensive care unit. He also was instrumental in recruiting pediatric sub-specialists into our community providing access to these rare specialists for those in need. Providing the highest quality patient care was Buchanan's top priority. His respect for the nursing and ancillary staff was recognized by many. A.C. also understood the importance and value of an exemplary medical staff. Along with over 200 dedicated physicians already serving RRMC, one of his proudest accomplishments included the strong recruitment efforts of more than 40 new physicians to this community. But the accomplishments didn't stop there. Under Buchanan's leadership RRMC achieved the top five percent rating nationally from Healthgrades in multiple specialties, for many years, was awarded as a Top 100 Hospital, as well as awarded the Louisiana Quality Award for hospital excellence. He developed and expanded many new services in cardiology, oncology, surgery and other ancillary areas. His most recent achievement was the completion and opening of the $50 million expansion accomplished earlier this year.
Community Involvement Buchanan was a dedicated member at his church, St. James Episcopal. He served in many capacities such as Senior Warden of Vestry (Executive Committee), Finance Committee, Property Committee, Investment Oversight Committee, Lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Life in Christ Leader, Mission and Outreach, Christian Education Director, Diocesan Executive Committee and the Diocesan Council for The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana. He was a recent graduate of the Education of Ministry program, which involved a four-year commitment in training.
Also, in the community, Buchanan recently served as Chairman of the LSUA Foundation Board, LSUA Chancellor Search Committee, Alexandria Museum of Art Board, Alexandria Business Foundation Board, Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Board, Cenla Advantage Partnership Board, LHA Central District, Past Chair, and the Canterbury House Board.
Buchanan previously served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, American Heart Association Heart Walk Chairperson, LHA Legislative Regulatory and Policy Council, the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board and the Region 6 Healthcare Reform Consortium, and the Rapides Primary Health Care Center. He was a Leadership Giver of United Way, as well as involved with the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and a Leadership Central Louisiana graduate. Services/Memorial Contributions Visitation will be on Friday, August 8 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall. On Saturday, August 9 visitation at the church will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Pineville. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of John Kramer & Son. His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to support his nephew Scott Peacock who is running the Houston Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of AC, his "Uncle Buck." Donations may be made at http://www.active.com/donate/llshoustonmarathon/4unclebuck or in the name of A.C. Buchanan at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202