Okay, I’m jumping in! I’m not a blogger, let alone computer literate. Just ask Kim Grolla and Cathy Dawson. In the beginning stages of planning our reunion, I'm sure I probably scared them a lot since I haven’t caught up to the 21st century of technology. I have however really enjoyed seeing everyone’s pictures and catching up on your last 20 years, so I thought I’d give it a try too.
Can we really be 38? It seems just like just yesterday that we were running around the playground, getting our driver’s licenses and planning our senior ditch day at Salt River. The day we had all looked forward to, the last day of school, receiving our diplomas and saying goodbye to treasured friends, teachers and amazing memories doesn't seem all that long ago. The fact that we were finally done, ready to conquer the world, move on and for most of us, leaving the mountain was going to be a major accomplishment. Some could not wait to leave, while other’s left for only a little while and even some never left at all, but where ever you went, were or are now, we all shared something special in that little place we called home and for all the good and or bad memories we shared, I consider it a real blessing for having known each one of you. So, here’s my life in a nutshell or is there a better, more politically correct word that works better here? You’ll have to email me or talk to me at the reunion and let me know!
After graduation, I decided to take a home correspondence course in the travel industry. The thought of landing a job for a cruise line, airline and or just anywhere in the world of travel at that time seemed like a great thing for a 19 year old. Who would pass up a chance to see the world and enjoy travel? I said "sign me up"! Upon completion of the home course, I headed to North Miami Beach, FL. for a 5 week in house training. I flew to Miami Int’l Airport, got lost as soon as I got off the plane and called my mom crying! After what seemed a lifetime stuck there, I finally figured out that crying was not helping when a vagabond approached me, inquired about my teary, pathetic and panicked stricken look, I thought to myself “do I talk or play as though I were deaf?" Alone, in an unfamiliar city, 19, and talking to strangers, “didn’t I listen to anything my mother had taught me?” Well, the vagabond was actually an “angel” he grabbed my bags, and led me to the exact place where I was to catch my bus to the school. He had disappeared before I could even thank him. Forever grateful to him, I made it to school, finished the training and couldn't wait to come home! Miami definitely wasn't for me! Some world traveler I'd turn out to be.
I worked for a couple different travels agencies in Lakeside and then applied for a job with American Airlines, as they were closing their Los Angeles office and moving reservations to Tucson. Richard (my high school sweetheart) and I married June 1990 and I moved to Tucson the following January to make sure it would work out. We commuted back and forth for almost 1 1/2 years. He was starting schooling, while I tried supporting us. Well, that didn't last long, he had to go to back work and school was put on the back burner. Our daughter Kayleigh was born in '95 and Brandon came along 3 years later in '98. I went part time after Brandon, and worked nights to avoid childcare. The kids began school and I got involved volunteering who knew I'd end up being groomed to be the next PTO President? I helped coach Kayleigh's softball team, amazingly enough I could still fast pitch, I'm no Jenny Finch, but it was fun to see the dad's faces when I actually put a little heat behind the ball as they took a swing and yep, strike one! I took a second job as co-director of the children's ministry at our church, but two jobs, volunteering and trying to be wife and mom was just too much.
I was offered an opportunity to work for American from home and it came at a time when gas was just approaching $3.00 a gallon. "Does anyone remember when it was only .99 a gallon"? I took the chance and have been home ever since. I have the 13 step program up my stairs and into my office (bedroom) and make reservations and or better yet, change or correct reservations for those that are computer illiterate like me. "It's job security you know for those of us that aren't the computer techies that many of you are." Maybe within the next decade, I'll learn more about computer's.
Can we really be 38? It seems just like just yesterday that we were running around the playground, getting our driver’s licenses and planning our senior ditch day at Salt River. The day we had all looked forward to, the last day of school, receiving our diplomas and saying goodbye to treasured friends, teachers and amazing memories doesn't seem all that long ago. The fact that we were finally done, ready to conquer the world, move on and for most of us, leaving the mountain was going to be a major accomplishment. Some could not wait to leave, while other’s left for only a little while and even some never left at all, but where ever you went, were or are now, we all shared something special in that little place we called home and for all the good and or bad memories we shared, I consider it a real blessing for having known each one of you. So, here’s my life in a nutshell or is there a better, more politically correct word that works better here? You’ll have to email me or talk to me at the reunion and let me know!
After graduation, I decided to take a home correspondence course in the travel industry. The thought of landing a job for a cruise line, airline and or just anywhere in the world of travel at that time seemed like a great thing for a 19 year old. Who would pass up a chance to see the world and enjoy travel? I said "sign me up"! Upon completion of the home course, I headed to North Miami Beach, FL. for a 5 week in house training. I flew to Miami Int’l Airport, got lost as soon as I got off the plane and called my mom crying! After what seemed a lifetime stuck there, I finally figured out that crying was not helping when a vagabond approached me, inquired about my teary, pathetic and panicked stricken look, I thought to myself “do I talk or play as though I were deaf?" Alone, in an unfamiliar city, 19, and talking to strangers, “didn’t I listen to anything my mother had taught me?” Well, the vagabond was actually an “angel” he grabbed my bags, and led me to the exact place where I was to catch my bus to the school. He had disappeared before I could even thank him. Forever grateful to him, I made it to school, finished the training and couldn't wait to come home! Miami definitely wasn't for me! Some world traveler I'd turn out to be.
I worked for a couple different travels agencies in Lakeside and then applied for a job with American Airlines, as they were closing their Los Angeles office and moving reservations to Tucson. Richard (my high school sweetheart) and I married June 1990 and I moved to Tucson the following January to make sure it would work out. We commuted back and forth for almost 1 1/2 years. He was starting schooling, while I tried supporting us. Well, that didn't last long, he had to go to back work and school was put on the back burner. Our daughter Kayleigh was born in '95 and Brandon came along 3 years later in '98. I went part time after Brandon, and worked nights to avoid childcare. The kids began school and I got involved volunteering who knew I'd end up being groomed to be the next PTO President? I helped coach Kayleigh's softball team, amazingly enough I could still fast pitch, I'm no Jenny Finch, but it was fun to see the dad's faces when I actually put a little heat behind the ball as they took a swing and yep, strike one! I took a second job as co-director of the children's ministry at our church, but two jobs, volunteering and trying to be wife and mom was just too much.
I was offered an opportunity to work for American from home and it came at a time when gas was just approaching $3.00 a gallon. "Does anyone remember when it was only .99 a gallon"? I took the chance and have been home ever since. I have the 13 step program up my stairs and into my office (bedroom) and make reservations and or better yet, change or correct reservations for those that are computer illiterate like me. "It's job security you know for those of us that aren't the computer techies that many of you are." Maybe within the next decade, I'll learn more about computer's.
I've been with American for 17 years. I wish I could say I've traveled the globe but, I've only driven through Globe, AZ that is, I did manage to make a quick three day trip to London. Having the time, days off or money never seem to go hand in hand. We fly often but mostly to see family in PA. Now that the kids are getting older though, it's fun to make a day trip to Dallas just to go shopping.
Life is just what it should be, and there's always room for improvement, I'm certainly good at making my share of mistakes. But for each mistake, I'm given an opportunity to learn from it, and to move on, to forgive or even ask to be forgiven.
So how's living with Faith? Well, my floors are usually dirty, thanks to all the kids that come over and our dog Zoe, the desert dust never goes away it really likes all my furniture, dinner is never served on time, and someone is always looking for something in the never completed pile of laundry, volunteering well, I just pull the family along, they help whenever and wherever they can they're amazing that way. My kids; they are such a blessing and as their time at home becomes shorter and shorter, I find that I value and treasure each moment knowing that we have so little time left together as a family, Kayleigh is determined to be an American Idol some day and Brandon is content to want to live at home forever! My marriage; Richard and I just hit 18 years this week together, and that I consider my single most treasured accomplishment. He is an amazing man with so many talents and it is truly and honor and blessing to be his wife, and their mother!
Life is just what it should be, and there's always room for improvement, I'm certainly good at making my share of mistakes. But for each mistake, I'm given an opportunity to learn from it, and to move on, to forgive or even ask to be forgiven.
So how's living with Faith? Well, my floors are usually dirty, thanks to all the kids that come over and our dog Zoe, the desert dust never goes away it really likes all my furniture, dinner is never served on time, and someone is always looking for something in the never completed pile of laundry, volunteering well, I just pull the family along, they help whenever and wherever they can they're amazing that way. My kids; they are such a blessing and as their time at home becomes shorter and shorter, I find that I value and treasure each moment knowing that we have so little time left together as a family, Kayleigh is determined to be an American Idol some day and Brandon is content to want to live at home forever! My marriage; Richard and I just hit 18 years this week together, and that I consider my single most treasured accomplishment. He is an amazing man with so many talents and it is truly and honor and blessing to be his wife, and their mother!
1 comments:
Faith it was so good to see you! I am glad that life has treated you so well. Thanks so much for all of your hard work putting the reunion together.
Sandy Lynn
Post a Comment