Time at home

I had a ticket home September 26th. It felt kind of weird going to the airport, and being the one actually leaving. I was always willing to drive departures into town this summer from the ranch, so I grew accustomed to the trip to the airport. As we drove up the ramp to the departures area, it slowly dawned on me that I am the one leaving, and I am not the one being left behind.
I dont know if Josh ever forgave me for my early arrival time of 5:30 in the morning. Living in Portland, he was elected to pick me up sunday morning. He was planning on going to Salem for a few days to see friends and a few other things, so it worked out perfectly that he could drive me down. Only that he had to get out of bed. I reminded him that the only sleep I got was on my 3 and a half hour flight.

Sunday after I had slept a while and recovered, I got together with Nels, one of my best friends from high school. Her family has adopted me as their own, but she is the only one who knew I would be in town. So our objective is to surprise the family with my presence. She went into the backyard ahead of me, and was talking to Ashley, her younger sister. The conversation went like this:
Nel: I brought someone to see you.
Ash: Is it Beth? No Beth is in Alaska...
Me: (walking around the corner) Wait, where am I?
Ash: BETH!!!!!!
fun times. I got to visit with little sister and Mom and Dad Strom for a little while before they left for church.

Monday I killed my cell phone. Apparently when one sits in the hot tub, then writes text messages with wet hands, enough water gets in the phone to make bad things happen. I knew better, but I did it anyways. To make matters worse, I tried to take it apart to try to dry it up. Apparently aircraft maintenance does not translate to sensitive electronics.

Tuesday We got me a new cell phone. A whole 12 hours with no phone! I am happy to report that I survived just fine. I should probably work on this addiction... That night I went out with my brother. Our birthdays are about 2 weeks apart, but we missed them, so we went out when we were both in the same place to celebrate it together.

Thursday early morning I took Grandma Betty to the airport. I haven’t necessarily known Grandma Betty as long, but I have known her daughter and son-in-law, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Charlie for most of my life. Grandma Betty was headed down to San Diego to speak at an Awana conference. I was told I could drop her off at the curb and she could check in at the curbside check in, but I wanted to make sure she got everything taken care of. When we got to the airport, they were able to give me a pass to go through security with her. She broke her hip not terribly long ago, so she had ordered a wheelchair. We got to the gate in plenty of time, so I volunteered to go find a breakfast sandwich or something for her. I was off on my way to see what I could find, and happened across a stop where several flight crews were eating. Score, I thought. If the pilots eat here, I am sure I have found a good spot. As I handed Grandma Betty her breakfast, one of the other ladies waiting for the flight said, “you get a waitress and everything? Wow!” I am glad I can help out Grandma Betty, and was able to make sure that little part of her trip went as smoothly as possible.

Thursday afternoon, I took Grandma Betty’s car to Aunt Debbie, who would be using it while she was gone. Mom went with me, and we stopped to visit for a while with Uncle Charlie. Uncle Charlie, my parents age, was in a surfing accident when he was in seminary, not too long before he was supposed to get married to Aunt Debbie. Since then, he has lived the life of a quadriplegic, using his chin to steer his wheelchair, requiring 24/7 care from nurses. He is currently in a big battle with the insurance companies, as his care is expensive. Mostly my mom was the one talking with him, but I couldn’t help but be in awe of this guy. If something half that bad happened to me, I doubt that I would make as good use of my life that he has made of his. I have never ceased to be amazed at his knowledge and application of, well, everything.

Sunday I met a lot of new faces, as well as seeing a few that I haven’t seen in a long time. Uncle Tommy was happy to see his “Air Dale” (thats what he calls me) again. Of course the younger girls (who are in high school and no longer little) mobbed me with hugs. I am so proud of all of them, how they have grown, and become their own people.

Tuesday I went out for lunch with Grandma Barb. I printed off a copy of my “DC-3 Pilot” picture to go on the wall with her grandkids. She had a couple pictures from my first solo up there, so I wanted to make sure she had a current copy. She showed me a couple paintings that she has done, something she picked up just recently. They are beautiful, makes me want to take up painting. After lunch with her, I went and visited Momma Debi for a while. Great Uncle Lauren also works with there, and he was surprised to see me in town. I framed another copy of the picture for Momma Debi, which she proudly made room for on her desk. That night I went and watched Daddy bowl with his league. He was bowling against some friends’ team, so it was fun to hang out with everyone and watch them bowl.

Wednesday was dinner with the family. As the grandkids grow up and away, we try to get as many of us together when I am in town to actually get a chance to be together for a little while. I was torn between talking to Grandma and Jackie about girl things and talking to Uncle Dan and Charlie about cars and mechanics.

Wait, Wednesday was dinner with the family? Haven’t you been doing things with family the whole two weeks? Well, Wednesday was the first time with actual blood family. The other family mentioned is family-in-love, and we are related by a blood that was shed 2000 years ago.

A few more nights with friends, and I was headed back to Anchorage Saturday afternoon.