Trial of patience and trail of tears

The entire year leading up to this moment of heading out my paramedic internship, has been a trial of patience for my wife Charlotte and the rest of my family.  Many days away from them while at work, in class, on clinicals in Anchorage, sitting at the kitchen table at home studying or sleeping.  I am thankful for her support (she really wanted me to wait for another two years). 

The crux of the paramedic program however was yet to begin-- the 480 hour internship out of state.  Initially, I wanted to push hard to leave in August to complete my internship, but after contemplation I decided early September would be better.

I knew it was going to arrive quickly and I tried to spend as much time as possible with the family.  Mt. Marathon was fun and relaxing, since I didn't run this year.  Our new canoe was a source of lots of fun, fishing with the kids.  I was able to spend a week with the kids while Charlotte went to Florida for a Zumba conference.  Also, by postponing my start date, I experienced Vail's start of kindergarten.  I tried to complete as many projects as possible, but when the last day came- there was still lots to do....

So, after scrambling around like a madman to finish up as many projects as possible (the ones I should have completed weeks ago)- I packed all the stuff I could think of at the last possible minute and tossed it the car with the kids and ran to the airport to catch my flight to Anchorage.

Turning onto Main St. Loop, I saw the Dash 8 on final approach and knew it was going to be close.  We parked the car, I grabbed my three bags and got to the ticket counter to pick up my ticket and get my bags checked.  Luckily, everything went perfectly and I was able to spend a last few minutes saying goodbye to the family.

I was able to hold it together, while talking with Charlotte, Katie, Vail and Selah, but the lump in my throat was growing bigger with each passenger that walked out to board the plane.  I waited to the last person was through the line- I gave as many hugs and kisses as I could and walked out of the terminal to board the plane.

As I walked out to the plane, I thought of how tough it will be to be away from all of them for an extended period of time.  I made my way to the back of the plane and sat on the terminal side.  Unfortunately, I was right under the wing and it's shadow and waving wasn't working....  I grabbed my headlamp (one thing I rarely leave home without), sent a text message to Charlotte to have the kids look for a flashing light and put my headlamp in beacon mode.  Phew, I can see jumping kids, waves and kisses being blown to me- cue the tears...

We taxied away from the terminal to embark on this adventure I thought of our Armed Forces and the sacrifice they (and their families) make when they are deployed into harm's way for way longer than my two month internship.

I continued to well up with tears on and off for the next fifteen minutes and after landing in Anchorage, I listened to the voicemail from my family and felt a little better....

I was able to sleep most of both flights to Phoenix and arrived to a nice rainy and overcast day, still a bit hot (85 F and fair amount of humidity), but still a nice lead into the hot weather that is sure to still be here for the next month.