Who Am I? Chapter VIII (Age 70 to the present) 2002-2010
Character is the sum total of our every day chores, and to achieve great things you must first believe it.
Whoops! Just realized I got ahead of myself. The trip to Thailand was not in 2001, but in 2003. Seems I kept things in order writing this story, until I reached age 68. Oh well, the friend I traveled with also could not remember what year we went to Thailand and she is a couple years younger than I.
In 2002 I made a trip to Nebraska to visit my family. Nebraska is usually nice in late summer or early fall.
2003 was my trip to Thailand. Have already related that story in the previous blog.
In 2004 off to South America. It was by no means a pleasant trip. We were on 15 flights in 19 days. On the 2nd day I fell in a cathedral and injured my right knee. The tour guide kept insisting I be seen at a hospital. I told him he had 2 choices. Believe I was capable of managing the situation with a knee brace and some anti-inflammatory medicine or put me on a plane back to the US. There was not a prayer I would embrace medical care in a country with Socialized Medicine. The itinerary was horrible. On one day we experienced 5 different modes of transportation. Bus, boat, bus, boat, bus. I will admit I enjoyed the interesting sites. Iguazu Falls were spectacular. Rio de Janeiro was interesting but I was ready to return to the US. Not however without another negative situation. The grand finale was to be blessed with food poisoning. The food on the South American airline, which flew me into Dulles was the cause of that situation. I was very sick and must have looked like death warmed over, as the flight attendant moved me to business class and put an Oxygen mask on my face. I flew from Dulles to San Diego and was very happy to be home. No, I did not plan this trip. It was planned by my friend and as she also planned the trip to Thailand, which was very nice, I did not expect this trip to be otherwise. I decided to end my escapades of world travel. I tend to live by a motto. Once burned, twice learned. Besides my next episode would indeed prevent me for additional travel.
On 7 January 2005 I slipped in my kitchen, fell and sustained a fracture of the head of my right femur. The pain was excruciating. However, Dr. Hartman nailed me back together.
Truthfully. I have 2 stainless steel pins on the right hip and thigh. I get attention when I go through airport security.
Following a few days post-op, they decided to send me to a nursing home. I pitched a fit and said NO WAY! You have two choices. Send me to rehab, or send me home. I refuse to go to a nursing home. They questioned my ability to endure rehab. I told them not to worry. I would do just fine and perhaps more than required. After a few days I was told I needed to slow down, as I was an over achiever. The entire situation did however slow me down a little due to having to use a walker for 6 months, but I was back at my volunteer work within 6 weeks following discharge from rehabilitation.
A few words about my Volunteer work. I served as Oceanside Area Manager for Operation Interdependence for about 5 years or more. We shipped c-rats to the troops. Locally I had volunteers that were the best, as well as many others from surrounding areas that would have group packing parties and deliver large numbers of boxes to our center for final inspection and preparation for shipping. One year the Oceanside office reached over 192,000 troops. When an office in LA was opened the Oceanside office was dismantled. That was in about 2007. There were a variety of reasons, but shipping to the troops continued from other OI centers, so that was all that counted.
In the fall of 2007 my College of Nursing honored me by posting a 2 page story in our Alumni news letter reflecting on my career from graduation to the present. During the summer I received recognition from the Blue Angels and was included among a group of active duty military and veterans to attend the Ronald Reagan Golf Classic Legacy Dinner. In December I accepted an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
On 29 May 2008 I traveled to Nebraska under the watchful eye of my guardian angel and close friend, to accept an award for Volunteerism from my College of Nursing. The most prestigious award given by the College. Such an event. I was so humbled I could not keep my eyes dry during dinner and the presentation presented by video to the audience. However, when they asked me to approach the stage to accept my award, my military bearing set in. I couldn’t let a large audience see a sniveling Naval Officer get on stage to make a short speech and accept my award. As I approached the stage escorted by my 2 brothers, and my guardian angel (a Marine of course) bringing up the rear, there was a standing ovation.
As I look back I marvel at all I have experienced. It’s been a “great ride” and I’ve loved every minute of it.
On October 25th I had a routine physician appointment. As I wasn’t feeling well, my friend Vicki Black took me to the doctor. Not a good day. I was immediately admitted to the hospital with an infected gallbladder, gallstones and MRSA of the distal colon. It seems I was a pretty sick lady. Thus I missed the opening of the first SWVBRC office, which was dedicated in my honor.
In August I decided to become a learner. My purpose was to set an example for other learners and hopefully be a support system. As I review blogs of other learners, it seems I have been about as effective as running a manure spreader during a windstorm. So I tried and now it is time to move on to Level III, as this completes Level II of “Who am I?”
In parting, I give this advice.
PROMISE YOURSELF
PROMISE YOUSELF TO BE SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN DISTURB YOUR PEACE OF MIND; TO TALK HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY TO EVERY PERSON YOU MEET; TO MAKE ALL YOUR FRIENDS FEEL THAT THEY HAVE VALUABLE QUALITIES; TO LOOK AT THE SUNNY SIDE OF THINGS AND MAKE YOUR OPTIMISM COME TRUE; TO THINK ONLY THE BEST. PROMISE YOURELF TO BE JUST AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS AS YOU ARE ABOUT YOUR OWN; TO FORGET THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST AND PRESS ON TO THE GREATER ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FUTURE; TO PRESENT A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE AT ALL TIMES AND TO SMILE AT EVERY LIVING CREATURE YOU MEET.
PROMISE YOUSELF TO GIVE SO MUCH TIME TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF YOURSELF THAT YOU HAVE NO TIME TO CRITICIZE OTHERS; TO BE TOO DETERMINED FOR WORRY, TOO NOBEL FOR ANGER, TOO STRONG FOR FEAR, AND TOO HAPPY TO BE BLOCKED BY OBSTACLES.
PROMISE YOURSELF
A welcoming home for our Troops.
