When Bridget had her bilateral ankle surgery, I realized I still maintained my OG of CHB skills. Experience really does make this unexpected life easier to navigate. As I looked around the hospital I began to see the first timers versus those of us who have been around awhile.

The first timers stop at every possible open spot in the parking garage. The old timers looked at the board and saw floor 7 had 45 open spaces so they bypass all other floors without even looking for a possible space.

The first timers cut off anyone on the bridge or elevator in a rush because they are not 15 minutes early for their appointment. The old timers get the call when they are checking in at registration that their appointment starts now and calmly explain there was a backup on the Expressway and they will be up to the floor right after they get their parking validated.

The first timers never think to get their parking validated until they are at the pay kiosk. They most likely don’t even know where the kiosk is because there is not instruction manual for your first visit at Children’s. The old timers not only get their parking validated the moment they walk down the bridge, they have their payment ready so when they get to the kiosk it only takes a moment to pay.

First timers hurry to their appointment, no matter how early they are. Old timers take their kids to the musical stairs or the wonder wall to wait until their appointment is 5 minutes away.

The first timers wear their badges and their name tags. The old timers may wear the name tag, but the badge? That is only used when getting in and out of the unit because they know it is going to bounce off the first time they exit the elevator.

The first timers enter the hospital with an entourage (spouse, grandparents and some times aunts, uncles and friends). The old timer arrives alone or with their partner, knowing that the more people there, the more confusion.

The first timer brings a bag with every stuffed animal, snack and a weeks worth of diapers and clothes for both the parent and child. The old timers leaves all that in the car knowing that they only need it if they’re admitted. And if they forget something, the hospital will provide (except deodorant for some reason).

The first timers don’t leave the waiting room. The old timers go to the cafe, have lunch and catch up on work.

When the old timer comes back to the waiting room, they have scoped out the best place to sit, charge their devices and read their book while their badge is hooked to their bag.

The old timers bag holds the bare essentials. Their wallet, their book and charging cords for their child’s device to charge. And one spare diaper and change of clothes for their child, just in case.

The first timer jumps every time a nurse or doctor walks in the room. The old timer has been here before and knows if there is any urgency the doctor/nurse/staff will run to them.

The first timer gets scared when the doctor asks to see them in a private conference room. The old timer knows it is a combination of HIPPA and the doctor knowing the parent might have questions or concerns they don’t want the bickering divorced couple next to them being a distraction (true story).

The first timer thinks, how can we live this way? The old timers know that while this life is not all sunshine and unicorn glitter, these difficult moments truly become easier to manage. The old timer gets a sense of peace, because “this moment” was easier than a “previous” moment in time.

It is not that the first timer is naive or innocent. It is not that the old timer ever wants the first timer to become as seasoned as the old timer. We wish no one had to live this life. We wish no one had our experiences.

Yet we know if you do, you get a little more relaxed on these trips to Boston and most importantly learn to take a right out of the parking garage instead of a left (insider tip).