Waiting . . . .

My flight was scheduled to leave at 1:50. It is now 5:41 and we have made it from the terminal into the airplane. That was an hour ago.

People who are waiting are interesting. People read, mess with their luggage a little, go get coffee, play Angry Birds (guilty!).

And, eventually, they start talking to each other.

I've overheard stories about where people are going and where they've been (figuratively & literally). There is a scrabble game going on next to me that Is almost over, and I'm going to ask to be included in the next round. A lady and her partner just pranked a very good-natured flight attendant.

I met a chiropractor who has a practice in Woodland Park. She is looking for a bike; I'm looking for a chiropractor. We exchanged information while waiting for an agent (who never materialized) to rebook the connecting flights we have probably missed.

It's interesting what it says about human nature, and I'm sure there is a sociologist somewhere who could iterate all kinds of information about human tendencies. We are capable of a lot while we are waiting, which we do a lot of.

We wait to grow up. We wait for our turn at the bank window. We wait on the elevator. We wait at stop lights. (I once passed time in traffic counting how many people I could see who were picking their noses while they were waiting. It was really, really gross.)

And why do we stop talking when the waiting is over?

Perhaps I should start making eye contact with those around me instead of stressing about the ENTIRE afternoon of lost productivity and fulfillment. Perhaps I am missing other opportunities . . . .

So, how about that scrabble game?

Random Moments of a Joyfully Life

First, the disclaimer: As of this writing, I may or may not have had a glass of wine. This post will probably be more poignant if you do, too. And it will for sure make more sense.

Over the past two weeks, life has involved friends, family, laughter, time-outs, rewards, tears, vomit, laundry, and some genuinely hilarious moments.

Tonight, I am struck again by the simplicity of value, and how infrequently we are able to pursue true quality. The moments and quotes that have precipitated this relative introspection are (in no particular order):

1. Liam, while standing next to me: "Tyler, look! Look how sized I am to Mom! I'm almost tall!" (Yay! Someone thinks I'm tall!)

2. From a FB friend: "Do you ever have a memory leak out of your eye and slide down your face?"

3. Wisdom that was not mine coming out of my mouth to a young patient with an aggressive cancer diagnosis looking for inspiration: "The word 'Triumph' implies difficulty. No one ever triumphs over ease, tranquility, happiness or perfection. One triumphs over hardship with pain, with blood, sweat & tears."

4. Gracie begging me to "Dance, Mommy! DANCE!" Of course I did. As best as this white girl can, anyway.

5. One of Tyler's hard-to-come-by written sentences for homework accurately describing his brother: "Liam thought the word think ment (sic) to talk."

6. Hearing Gracie sing "twinkle twinkle" in the grocery checkout line.

7. The timing of my boss asking on a Tuesday afternoon for a presentation involving data stored in files that have been "cleaned up" (read: gone) on a short timeline (I have a day) the one week we cancelled clinic, which is usually on Wednesdays.

9. Have I ever mentioned how Clay puts Gracie to sleep every. single. night? After cooking dinner. And usually cleaning up. And he knows how to sort laundry. Awesome.

And finally:

10. Kids love hot dogs because they taste like boogers (according to my boys). Enjoy!

Today, we went to an event the shop helped sponsor called the Patriot Ride. It was in honor of police, military, firefighters and the like. (This year, firefighters got special kudos since it was held in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood, with the remnants of homes and the blackened mountainside behind us.)

As part of the festivities, the fire trucks, ambulances and police cars were there for kids to climb in and on. As a special treat, the Flight For Life helicopter agreed to fly in and land instead of setting up ahead of time. I decided this was a good opportunity to get a close-up video for the Buzz.

Flight For Life 101: You are supposed to rescue people from accidents, not cause them.


Everyone was ok, and there was no one in the bounce house. Which was good, since I was laughing. I was holding Gracie, three snow-cones and my phone, and laughing my head off as everyone else was scrambling around yelling and making sure no one was hurt. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!? Aren't I supposed to be a concerned parent? And as a nurse, help triage the bleeding and injured?

(Sigh)

I guess I got caught up in the irony of the moment and thought it was quite hilarious, especially since I had just watched all the kids climb out of the bounce house to watch the helicopter and knew no one was inside. (It's just a giant air-bag anyway, right?)

The chopper landed a few minutes later, and the recalcitrant pilot sheepishly made his way over to the Kid Zone to offer his apologies, but by then no one cared because the kids were swarming the helicopter. (I kept waiting for the "What does this button do?" sound.)

And, my snow cone with dirt sprinkles was quite delicious.

KOA

I know I go on and on about our KOA family in Gunnison. But it really is our home away from home whenever we have the chance, and with our dear friends, the Hamels & Risners, as much as possible.

Where else can you stay up till 2am around a campfire and attempt to ride your bike to the bathhouse after (harrummpphh) shots of Tennessee Honey? Or eat at a restaurant that is so kid-friendly that they hand out boxes of Legos to play with instead of crayons? Or pet the goats, ride a cow named Fancy (pronounced "Fay-un-see") and play pinball until your thumbs bleed? Not to mention the swimming pool, best playground ever, trout fishing, good coffee, epic mountain biking and NO WORRYING ABOUT THE KIDS!!!!!

You really must come next year. I'll bring s'mores.