I promised a story

 I promised a story about the Haleys so here I go…..

Back in the late 70s middle school was upon us and my pond got a little bigger. I can’t remember not ever being in band and anyone that has ever participated knows, you make some of the best lifetime friends there. I, too, am one of those people. Friends came easy to me as I don’t meet strangers. Even in 1976 this was true. I guess some things never change.

Entering into 7th grade band, we were placed together with the 8th grade and combined all the talent. This proved to be my lesson in boy FRIENDS. It is no secret that I’ve always hung with the boys. Must have had something to do with Brian Millican and the Barker boys. I was (guess i still am) a tomboy. I would rather climb trees, ride bikes and play outside. I made two of the best guy friends a girl could ever ask for, that summer, in Bruce Davis and Jeff Haley. I always said they were my brothers all through high school. 

That particular summer in 1976, mom had gone to nursing school and I was home alone. (Sorry mom, true confession) I would say if not every day, at least 3 times a week, Bruce and Jeff would come over. Jeff would be riding his bright yellow skinny skateboard. Tried as they may, I never could ride that thing. They must have spent that entire summer trying to teach me. This wasn’t the last summer those boys spent running the streets and stopping at my house. These summers created a bond that would make me as a mom happy for my daughter when she had friends like these. These guys had my back from then on. It didn’t matter who came or went all I had to do was say the word and these guys were there. I never once had to worry.  If I found myself in a situation where I felt unsafe or scared, I knew if I could get to a phone or yell out they would be there in a hot minute ready to tackle the problem. (Or tackle the boy)

As high school came we saw Jeff quit the band but Bruce remained. We all started dating (never each other) and while the bond was still there other girls came into the picture. I gained even more big brothers with an even bigger band and so many friends, looking back it makes my heart happy. Jeff even dated a few of my friends that I had had since elementary school. Band held my future high school sweetheart and the show group broadened my friendship base. When I wasn’t dating someone steady I always had someone to hang out with. Graduation saw many tears as I knew life was changing quickly. 

That summer found me with my guy friends hanging out at Fantasy 2000 or Yesterday’s. There was always a party waiting to happen wherever I happened to go. No date? No problem. Friends aren’t always dating others either. My bio brother’s band was playing at Yesterday’s and I wanted to go. Back then we (girls) didn’t go alone anywhere so I called up Jeff. 

We piled into his little white Toyota Corolla and took off to Chattanooga. Anyone who ever went to Patten Parkway knows seating was limited and standing room only was crowded. I don’t remember if we had a table and were joined or if someone else had a table and we joined. Either way, we had a seat. Behold, there was a blonde with glasses sitting next to Jeff. Slowly as the night wore on I talked with him less and less as that blonde got more interesting by the moment. I don’t remember much about the ride home. I do remember we walked out together. He opened my car door, I got in, he stood and talked with that girl another few minutes.

I do, however, remember asking him about the “Lisa” girl and if he liked her. I was informed pretty quickly her name was “Alicia” and he had gotten her number. Thus began the story of the Haleys. This was to be my last outing with Jeff. Enamored by her, Jeff was off the market in all things “other” girls. Lol He found love.

Wedding time rolls around and if I am not mistaken all I remember is loads of pink. Alicia was a blonde and Jeff actually HAD hair! I didn’t have a date to the nuptials but my mom was more than happy to attend and somewhere along the lines the parents were all friends. 

When Sam (Jeff’s dad) died my daddy was still working at the funeral home. Jeff and I had talked a bit through facebook and I knew it wouldn’t be long when they were in the hospital. I told Daddy I would see him later and he had told Jeff I was coming. The minute I hit that door I was met halfway down the hall and got the biggest, longest hug ever. I looked over his shoulder and saw Alicia sitting there with a smile on her face. When I finally got to her, she hugged me good and tight and said “he needed that”. I was so thankful to have a wife that could understand our kind of friendship. 

The last time I saw Alicia they were having a yard sale at Jeff’s mom’s house. We all stood and talked in the sweltering heat promising to get together and catch up on the world. As per usual, life continued on with mine and Jeff’s mom needing full time care and both of us living miles apart. While we all three chatted via facebook we never made the get together happen.

Here we are almost 40 years after that initial meeting and my guy friend’s heart is broken. I told Alicia when they got engaged that if she ever hurt him she would have to answer to me. Well, she needs to answer! This wasn’t how this was supposed to happen. We were all supposed to grow old together. I can’t be mad at her for hurting him because it wasn’t of her doing. Cancer SUX. My brother is hurting and with that my heart aches alongside him. I feel helpless and just want to hug him better. I know there isn’t going to be better soon but I do know she knew Jesus. I know she is better. It is earth that has to suffer along without the sun for awhile. 

A day in the fun filled life that is mine

 What an eventful 3 days. Good for a blog I guess. 

I’ve always been a people watcher. Since my hearing loss I do believe it is more so. Sometimes I am hyper aware, other times I’ve got my head buried in a book or my phone and am oblivious. I’ve always been one extreme or the other in most areas of my life so it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. This time I hope there aren’t people around like me that are watching. If they are they have truly thought some things about me. 

I began my day bright and early Wednesday as I am out of the bed by 5:15 on work days. Tuesday was especially exciting as I had a bag packed, the dog packed and was ready to catch a flight to see grandson #1. Even though I just saw them two weeks ago, my Bubba’s birthday is coming up and it is time to celebrate FINNDEPENCE day. 

My wish, as I’m sure most folk’s wish, is for the work day go by smoothly and quickly. My Bff is keeping the dog and taking me to the airport after work. There have been problems as of the last few days with flight delays and the skies were sunny. It is a fantastic travel day. That is unless, of course, you have zero patience.

Seems the more I travel the more I get pulled to the side. More so since the hip replacement of course. Even CHA loves to pat me. I just wish they would end it with a kiss you know? Not only do they love to feel and see what kind of contraband or bomb making materials I could be harboring they also search my luggage. Again, this is a no fail event. I’ve decided someone has put me on “the list”. I don’t know what list it is but whomever it was needs to break a leg or something. 

I always try to engage TSA as I know they are only doing their job. I have however, learned not all have a sense of humor or even a personality. Some are down right rude and are mad at the world. Thankfully the ones at CHA were friendly and EXTREMELY thorough (if you know what I mean). My luggage was all but totally emptied. She swiped shoes, makeup and my toiletry bag. They even took my powder and face moisturizer to another machine for a different scan. Do I look like a fugitive, drug dealer, hijacker, or bomb maker? Geez, I’m a tired little old lady who just finished a 12 hour shift in an er. But, protocol….. I’m practicing what I preach about being kind and understanding. My favorite saying to my kids when they were teens was “what if you are the only Jesus they see?”

I thanked the TSA folks for the total invasion of privacy and am pretty sure there was some HIPPA rules broken. 

When I am not traveling with my travel agent, I always try and make sure the ticket agent and the stewards know I am hearing impaired in case I do miss a pivotal announcement. Wednesday night was no exception. 

I boarded my flight and was sitting next to the cutest little 16 year old girl from Rhea county. She was fantastic to help me decipher the announcements that kept coming from the pilot. 

We pushed back from the gate as the first announcement was made. “Passen…*insert Charlie Brown’s teacher’s voice……informed…..*insert voice…….minutes…..” Of course I didn’t understand. The sweet little girl explained there was a weather cell over ATL and our flight was going to be delayed a bit while we waited for instructions. 

Ok, I’m good. I still have internet and am watching a movie. It was about 20 mins and we cleared for takeoff. 20 more minutes and we are circling the Atlanta airport waiting to land. The stewardess was really great to come and follow up and make sure I understood what was happening and since all flights were grounded I shouldn’t miss my connector. Everyone was lined up to take off or circling above the cell. After our fourth big circle the captain says we can’t continue to circle because we don’t have enough fuel. The closest place they would send us to fuel…..CHA…. Yep, we turned around and went right back to where we left. One has to find humor here or it makes one cranky. Here is the 25 min speech about it shouldn’t take long and how grateful they are we are flying with them….at least I think that is what he is saying. 

I then encountered a first. An airplane bathroom! When I say I’m glad to say at 58 years old I had never been in a plane bathroom it is a matter of pride AND I hope I NEVER have to see another one. Don’t get me wrong. It was clean and all but that blue stuff was strong! I swear I’m still smelling it two nights later. It is akin to a portapotty. Yep, big NOPE! 

After our 25, in reality 45 minute gas up we are cleared to fly to ATL once more. The cell had moved on and so were we. When we get in the air I am informed that my connection had been missed and there wasn’t another til morning. My understanding of customer service they should put us all up in a hotel. No, they tell you where they are and offer you a percentage off coupon for said hotel. This is where my second first came in. A night in the Hartsfield/Jackson airport, call sign ATL. 

It was eerie. I don’t mean scary eerie, I mean weird eerie…..curious, eccentric….funky…freaky…. I have always thought as busy as that airport is it would never be empty but empty it was. I also did not know there is nothing flying after 2am per travel agent. I didn’t mind the airport stay and actually liked having experienced it when it wasn’t an emergency and there were thousands of people there. The employees were cleaning and really loud on occasion but never was I fearful or worried.

Sleep didn’t happen but in 15 min interval and I may have gotten a total of two hours tops. Seemed like a mama cat nap on Groundhog Day. I was so thankful that I had all my belongings as I didn’t check a bag and it made a decent lean to. 

The flood gates open at 5am there and it took all of 15 mins for it to return to the hustle and bustle one is used to at the airport there. I decided I needed to walk. I literally walked all the way back to the terminal and rode back to my gate to the tune of 5760 steps. It was a great pick me up. They have some pretty interesting art pieces between the concourses. If you ever get a chance to walk and enjoy you should. Never waste an opportunity to take in interesting and new things.

I knew I was on standby for the first flight and knew I didn’t want the flight they had assigned me which wasn’t to leave ATL until 9pm. I prayed off and on all night. I had a Delta employee with whom I spoke and explained my two first as we share a giggle. He said “I gotchu”. Indeed he did. I was on the back row of the plane but I was on it. NEXT TO THE BATHROOM!  Tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor. Again, seated next to a minor. 

I know there are no accidents in this world and have decided these girls needed a Granny or a mother on these flights. The little girl slept the whole way. When she finally woke up we were within range of PA. I asked her how old and she told me she was 11. She told me she had lived in TX and GA and was moving to Kansas. I asked the cities and her response was El Paso and Fort Gordon and I knew immediately she was an Army brat. She could make friends with a sign post. She had a great personality and I learned not only was her mom and dad BOTH in the Army so was her step mother and step dad. Talk about a family affair. She is a little bummed though they are going to be separated after 7 years together. 

For those reading that don’t remember Harrisburg is the capitol of PA. Taylor had informed me the airport was a major hub but was a small airport. I thought she was just exaggerating because a capitol city that was a major hub couldn’t be THAT small. She wasn’t kidding. It was maybe three gates bigger than Chattanooga. A third first….flying into Harrisburg, PA. I had gone less than 15 hours and already had 3 firsts under my belt. Who really cares what those firsts were, they were firsts nonetheless.

After a few quick stops I finally saw a shower. After 30 hours of straight up fun and excitement it was not a minute too soon. A two hour nap with a clean body and I was ready to play with my Bubba when he got home:) We had some fun racing go karts and playing arcade games. The fun has continued on through the day today. One where we picked flowers, fed farm animals and played hard. Birthday party tomorrow and this boy will be 4 on the 5th. I can not believe my little fella will be heading to school next year! He has grown leaps and bounds and can be really funny. He is a mocking bird and will straight up get you for saying “Shoot” and “Dadgumit”. Guess I will just stay in the Finley jail for awhile. I will update if I need bail.