The Watch

The watch is simple.  It has a gold band, white face, gold numbers 1 through 12, and red numbers 13 through 24.  It shines a turquoise glow with the push of the bridle.  Is that really all there is to it?  What makes this watch so special when he has at least 3 to 4 more watches in his bedroom dresser?

He will show that watch to everyone he meets.  He will tell you he got it from being in the Service, although none of us really remember when he got it.  The story is that he has fought in three wars.  He was a leader of many forces, took down many terrorists, and was very respected by the men he led.  With a gentle touch from his wife, the story will stop.  Until he meets someone new. 

The watch also will lead in to the story of how he coached the Broncos, the Rockies, and the Colorado Avalanche.  The Broncos would be a better team today if they had their Coach on the sideline with them.  He taught John Elway and Eric Decker everything they know.  He coached many sports teams over the years.  Soccer, Football, Hockey, and Basketball.  He picks up the basketball from a team that he did coach that was painted with all the players names on it.  He reads some of the names on it,  tosses it up and down while that watch gleams in the light. 

He will look at his watch and start speaking in German.  He will tell you stories about his parents and his brothers and sisters.  That watch helps my Dad remember the most precious story of marrying my mom, leaving for the Korean War just a short two weeks after, and then being gone for the next two years.  That story he does remember.

Some days, the watch gets “misplaced”.  He is worried that someone might have taken it because it is so valuable.  Would one of the strangers who have come in to the house taken this precious timepiece?  No.  It is always found. 

The watch is shown even to his family.  His sons, his daughters, his grandsons, his granddaughters.  He’s afraid to sometimes show it to his great-grandchildren in fear that they might damage it. 

He doesn't read the paper anymore, and he seldom watches TV.  He wants to shave every day, at least once if not two or three times.  His wife is always there to make sure he gets ready for the day.  To make sure he know what date and day it is.  To make sure he finds the watch to put on.  She tells him who it is that he is going to show the watch to. She worries that they won’t know what to say to him, and wonders what they must think.  She tells him who it is that is at the door, or who is coming in the house.

When I go for a visit, he comes and gives me a big hug.  Tells me he shaved for me.  I think he knows me.  He is a good pretender.  He will show me his watch and start to tell me his stories.  He will hold my hand.   But is he holding his daughter’s hand, his granddaughter’s hand, or just some nice lady’s hand who has come over to visit and who will listen to his many stories about the wars, and all the teams he coached?  Does it matter?  Have I heard the stories over and over before?  Yes, but I will gladly sit and listen over and over again.

That watch.  It does more than tell time for my Dad.  It tells many stories that might or might not be true.  It starts many conversations that someday will never be said.  It knows many people that my Dad doesn't know any more.  Is the watch itself special?  No.  But when my Dad wears it, it is a treasure.

Summer-Can You Really Go Back?

Much has happened over the last year.  My sister suggested I write an update, but I don’t even know where to begin. 

Seasons….It seems I am back in to my favorite Season of all.  Summer.  But am I?  Can you really go back?  

Just over a year ago I was feeling pretty good about myself, having trained and competed in a Figure Competition at my age.  But, believe me, I felt my age!  Last year, I watched my sister fight the battle against breast cancer, and also lost two good friends to cancers.  My sister was amazing through all her treatments and surgeries.  Always pushing through, and never lost her fun spirit.  One of my friends, was an amazing example of a mother, doctor, volunteer, and wife, who lived through her treatments and surgeries with amazing grace and strength.   My other friend was an amazing dad, husband, brother, coach, volunteer, who NEVER gave up.  He was always there for his wife and kids, friends, teams, and others.  It was because of these three people that I decided to follow my dream and not just sit back and be content with where I was at.

So, that brings me to December of last year.  I applied to become a Flight Attendant with Southwest Airlines.  They only open up external applications once every few years.  I was so excited.  I just knew it was meant to be.  Well it wasn’t meant to be.  In February I interviewed, and in March I received my “Thanks, but no thanks” email.  I was so discouraged.  Talk about a dream being crushed!  A few weeks after that, it was recommended to me to check out Alaska Airlines.  They were hiring Flight Attendants.  Who was Alaska Airlines??  I live in Colorado!  I really didn’t even know anything about Alaska Airlines.  Well, in checking out the company, and checking in to what it would mean if I applied, I found out that I would most likely be based in Anchorage, AK if I was hired.  Now, if you really know me, you know that Alaska is probably the last state in the US that I would ever choose to live in.  However, when Mike and I talked about the possibilities and the future, we decided I should go for it.  I sent in my application.  I spent a 12 hour day interviewing and was offered the job.  Three weeks later I was in Seattle for training.  (There will have to be an entire blog entry related to training!)

I remember about two years ago, sitting on a friend’s patio for a girls night out happy hour, and mentioning  that one day I’d like to be a Flight Attendant.  I really don’t know how many of my girlfriends ever believed that at my age, it would be smart or even possible to do, or that I would even do it.  Well, I’m so thankful that I took the chance and followed that dream.  Is it easy?  Was being away for 5 ½ weeks for training easy?  Is living in Alaska away from my family easy?  Absolutely not.  But I do know that I have the full support of Mike and the rest of my family.  I know that in the long run, this will be good for our family.  “Short term sacrifice for long term gain” is what I keep telling myself. 

Did I really go back to the “Season of Summer” in my life?  No.  I’m still the same age, in the same Season of life that I was this time last year.  However, I am living my life with no regrets.  Living and not ever going to say I wish I would have done that.  No matter what my age, what Season I am in.