Franklin Morris II, Lab Tech
Here’s 5 things that have impressed me with Grove, OK after working at one job in Grove for 7 years:
I started working in Grove, OK, at Burke Eyecare on July 20, 2016, exactly 7 years ago.
1. On my first or second day of work, a patient, “John Doe”, spent a good amount of time making sure I knew the various places in town that he thought would be interesting to me. For my job, I was in the process of moving from Decatur, Arkansas to Grove, OK, but I’m originally from Florida. I’m thankful for his small-town hospitality and personal concern for me having a great experience in Grove. Also, throughout the years, several members of his family have regularly been seen by Dr. Burke.
2. I hope I’ll never forget the patience of “Jane Doe.” Almost 7 years ago, I started cutting lenses to put into people’s eyeglasses. This was new to me, and I ran into several challenges cutting Jane Doe’s lenses. I wasn’t trying to make mistakes, but I did. Jane recognized that I was new, and she displayed uncommon patience with me. She didn’t yell; she didn’t get upset; there was not even the slightest hint of anger with me etched on her face. She just gave me space to cut her glasses without any type of pressure. Finally, my cutting passed inspection. She not only got her glasses, but I bought her a basket of apples as well. I wanted to tangibly demonstrate my appreciation for her.
The following year, Jane and her husband, “Bob Doe”, had eye exams at Burke Eyecare. I bought them some more food – maybe some Blueberry Muffin Larabars and SkinnyPop Original Popcorn (I forgot). What I hadn’t forgotten was her patience with me. There was at least one more time – maybe in my 2nd year – when I cut lenses for her. I was very careful. I at least triple-checked my work, and I had no issues.
I have now literally cut thousands of lenses, and I’m an experienced lab technician who runs the optical lab. Learning from my mistakes with Jane Doe has helped me cut other lenses and help others be more effective with lens cutting as well.
3. Grove is the first place where people have assumed – rather, “known” – that I am the doctor. Especially during the first year of working at Burke Eyecare, I sometimes had to let people know I wasn’t the doctor. They didn’t question who the doctor was; they “knew” I was the eye doctor, and they spoke to me as if I held that title. The truth is I am not a doctor, I don’t have the schooling of a doctor, and I haven’t practiced as a doctor. Of all the titles people could think I have in Grove, OK, thinking of me being a doctor isn’t such a bad thing.
For the record, I should clarify that not only am I not a doctor, I actually am not related to Dr. Robert Franklyn Burke. Though my first name is very similar to his middle name, I am not his son. I’m Franklin Morris II, named after my father, Franklin Morris.
4. I was really impressed with “Sally Doe’s” interactions with her daughters at Burke Eyecare. Based on my observations of their conversations, it was obvious they spent much time together. Talking, and having face-to-face conversations, are becoming a lost art, but they were mastering this art as a young family. Sally didn’t speak to her daughters in a hurried, rushed manner, and her daughters relished speaking with their Mom. Sally made use of the small moments of time she had in the waiting room etc. to speak to her daughters. When Sally’s daughters asked her questions, she wasn’t irritated; she took time to fully answer the questions in a way her daughters could understand. It appeared Sally liked conversations to lead to learning opportunities for her daughters, and that was something special to witness.
5. In my 7 years at Burke Eyecare, I’ve interacted with thousands of people from various life stages and walks of life. The overwhelming majority of people have been very friendly, and I’m thankful for this.
All of the names in this post have been modified for patient confidentiality.