Keeping it together
Libby Wenderski’s mornings are busy with four kids attending different schools, two working spouses, and a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic impacting every aspect of life.
The shift starts at 7AM. Two of her four kids need to be dropped off at two different schools before the 40-minute commute to St. Cloud Hospital. That means her little ones get a 5:30 AM wake-up. By then, Libby Wenderski has already been up for an hour to get her day started with some exercise.
“I’ve been a runner since the third grade,” she says, and explains how running during the last two years has kept her grounded. She knows she has to take care of herself.
“Exercise has benefited my physical and mental health by keeping me centered,” says Libby. “One of my big goals through all of this was to not lose sight of myself and exercise has helped with that.” So too has her supportive husband and kids, a close-knit group of running pals, and an amazing work family.
Libby is an RN and the manager of the Medical Progressive Care Unit (MPCU) at St. Cloud Hospital. As a caregiver, she spends her days supporting the team and caring for patients. “Yes, I take care of patients and that’s my purpose at work. But my purpose in life is my family,” Libby explains.
Our kids get dropped at two different schools, so it’s a process, but it always includes hugs,” she shares. “Those moments when I’m taking kids to school…I think about how I’m handing my kids off to someone else. It’s always a reflective moment for me before I make the commute to work.”
It’s amazing the impact you can have on your kids when you’re positive, so I try to do that,” she says. “I’m not perfect at it, but I try.”
“It’s amazing the impact you can have on your kids when you’re positive, so I try to do that,” she says. “I’m not perfect at it, but I try.”
That night, her husband is called in for the night shift at his work. Libby’s day won’t end until close to 9PM when she picks up another of her daughters from dance class. That’s after a day at the hospital when the staffing challenges and patient volume resulted in there being no beds for more patients. The day was tense like so many before it during the last two years.
But tomorrow will start early with her morning ritual and that is how she continues to keep it all together.
Thank you for being you and for the shadow you cast at work and at home.
Thank you! Thank you for all that you have done, all you continue to do for so many. Thanks you for your positive and incredible example to attitude. Thanks to your family for all they too have sacrificed.
Thank you for being there for your patients and family and for sharing your “real-life” story!
You are my Hero,your there for everyone,the patients,all of us on the floor and your family.day in and day out your loving support…all Ican say is your a rock star. Thank you for all you have done for me and everyone