Today was my last day at volunteering and I have to say it was a more touching departure than I would have expected it to be.  I have really enjoyed my time at Sethathirath Hospital in their Pediatrics Ward.  I have met a lot of nice, hardworking doctors, nurses and medical students and after saying goodbye to them today, it solidified my hopes of coming back to work in Laos.  Not many would find the hospital a place to feel like a second home, but I did.  Everyone that I had the pleasure of working with made me feel like I was one of their own, even though I had only been there for such a short time.  There was even something special about the patients and their families.  There was a kind of warmth shared between them that I don’t see too often.  I also got the opportunity to witness the patience and respect that the staff and patients had for one another.  I know this has a lot to do with the Lao culture, which makes people fall in love with it whenever they are here.  Before I left, we all took pictures and everyone told me they hoped that I would return to visit, if not to work, and wished me a safe trip home.  To my surprise, the staff presented me with departing gifts, which made me feel as happy as a little girl getting her top listed gift for Christmas.  I can’t believe they took the time out for me.  As I felt when I visited my family last week, I should be the one offering gifts because they are the ones who had invited me into their home and allowed me to learn beside them.  There is no gift that I could ever offer to express my gratitude to them for such a life learning experience.