Moving in the Right Direction

It was a crisp but cloudless morning on February 24t, 2020. The previous night had been complete with the tossing and turning that generally accompanies any endeavor with which I am not in 100% control of. I did what I normally do in these situations: set my prayer table aglow and counted on having assembled the most excellent team a woman can have around her. This was moving day, a day many of you have heard endless tales about, and were probably not entirely convinced was ever going to happen. As the clock neared 8:00 am, cars rolled into the parking lot at the Green Acres shopping center. A terrific shade of Robin’s Egg Blue is what my girls usually sport when the clinic is running, but there wasn’t a whiff of that in the air today. These girls were combat ready, with sleek athletic clothing and shoes meant for moving, and a look of sheer determination that set even my slightly queasy stomach right again. Was that combat camo smeared on their faces? Ah maybe just a mirage. Soon orders were barked (not by me), and boxes started flying, cars were packed, and the mission was a GO! As more help arrived in the form of husbands and friends with muscles, trailers, and trucks, I marveled as things whirred past my head packed, wrapped, and stacked. Convoys of vehicles made their way carefully with our precious cargo over to the promised land at One American Center, where more team members directed placement, unpacking, and organization (that is a very loose term). Friday and Saturday filled themselves with this such packing, hauling, and unpacking, and we paused only long enough to fill our bellies and share meals of fried chicken, barbeque, and enchiladas. Did anyone see me (I hope not) wipe that tear of joy as I looked at the daughters, husbands, friends, and my girls gathered together at a table, sharing a meal, and laughing with true joy and exhaustion?

On Sunday, we took a day of rest. On Monday we set upon our individual areas, each with the mission to be functional for Tuesday.
Tuesday, we held our first full day of clinic in our new facility. It was nothing short of a miracle, divine intervention, and the hard work of my girls and families that this was able to happen. We had fresh flowers on the tables, hot coffee in the waiting room, and joy in our hearts. We opened our doors, and anxiously waited. For you. Because you have always been how we define ourselves. We worked to make the patient flow better. To give you a shorter walk, and exam tables that don’t require your stepping up and possibly falling. The interior reflects our love of nature, peace, and tranquility. This is the culmination of not just my dream, but that of all my staff, and many of you. Most of us have worked together for many years. We left a large group and weathered many a storm to achieve our independence. We were thankful to find shelter at our former office in the building at Green Acres, where five to six of us worked in a 12 foot by 12-foot windowless room (add furniture to this equation) for over 6 years, waiting for our opportunity to build a home of our own. These are the times when I am reminded that this journey is not about me, but about all of you and my staff. It is a whole that is larger than the sum of its parts. In this day of corporate run medicine, we consider ourselves fortunate to practice with this thought in mind, having confidence that the rest will take care of itself when we continue to put you and our families here first. May you have a wonderful April as showers and flowers abound.

At YOUR Service always,
Lisa Lowry

A Note of Special Thanks

I would like to give a BIG HIGH FIVE to certain individuals and businesses that helped me with this project, in addition to those described above:

Bryan Clarke, of Clarke Technologies, (903-279-5844 or 903-871-5050) set the IT up in our office . He has his own company, and I knew him from a previous place of employment, so I felt comfortable with his trustworthiness, and knew he would give it his best. I had gotten another bid for this work, and it was out of my financial reach. This was the first major job from start to finish Bryan had done, so we were both taking a big leap of faith. I have not been disappointed. He was there to troubleshoot issues as they arose (which we expected), and we look forward to working with him as he brings us all up to speed on how to use our IT effectively (ie without having to consult our children or grandchildren). If you are looking for an honest, humble man that has a sense of pride in his work, call Bryan.

Shelby, at Inside Out Living Spaces 903-871-9819, bailed me out BIG TIME! When the price tag for my counter tops suddenly doubled from a big box store , with ONE WEEK until our planned opening, Shelby swooped in and gave me a better product at a better price, within my timing framework. This is also where we purchased the beautiful tile so many of you have admired in our reception area.

Carson, at Flooring Liquidators (903-566-5900) found the beautiful flooring that so MANY of you have asked about. He also found the tile for the bathrooms, and did both UNDER BUDGET, and ON TIME! AMAZING.

Karen and others at Leon’s Signs helped create our beautiful Hummingbird that flies above our reception desk and on our entry door. She also made sure my name is FINALLY on a sign where people can us from the LOOP. I have never had my name on a sign of any kind, and I have to admit, it is really kind of cool.

To Frank (my electrician) who drove from Dallas and spent many a night here to make sure the lights were perfectly placed and the lasers would work without setting the building on fire, thank you! Also, he switched chandelier placement on me without my consent, knowing that he had the better call on which one went where, and Frank, you were right.

To Dwayne, the cabinet maker, your cabinets are a work of art. These are hand crafted, real wood beauties over which you poured endless hours of talent and care. The pride in your work is evident, and appreciated. Who does stuff like this anymore?

Finally, to Sergio Sr, Sergio Jr, and Joe, who transformed a bank building complete with GREEN MARBLE teller stalls into a space that exudes peace and tranquility for all, THANK YOU. I hope you are as proud of your accomplishment as we are honored to share the energy of our new home.