To take things back just a little - in December of 1991, my co-worker Julie and I were installing equipment at a bank when two men walked in and started shooting guns into the ceiling. It was a robbery and one thing I know for certain, I am quite capable of hitting the ground quickly. I rolled under the desk that I was working at and I was sure that you couldn't see me. But just in case, I closed my eyes.
I waited a long while until I heard them leave and the bank manager yelling to lock the door. After hours of waiting around for police to question everyone we headed back to the main building, shaken and trembling.
It was at that point that I decided a change needed to take place. I had applied for and got a promotion to a different area of the IT staff. This one allowed me to travel a bit more around the state of Wisconsin. I would help backs that we were acquiring change over equipment and operations to match our standards. The job kept me on the road quite a bit. For the most part I was in back rooms of banks or there after hours to train the tellers.
It was also a nice raise in pay, which allowed me to save enough money to head to Florida once again. This time, I would take Julie as my back up adult.
The tickets were purchased and plans were made to visit with Blake first and then head to Disney. We were staying on site this time, which was much nicer since we could use their transportation so I wouldn't need to rent a car. After going to the beach a few days with the boys we headed to the Mouse House. Blake drove us and stayed with us until Julie arrived at the end of the weekend.
Julie and I had a blast. The boys loved her and I don't remember much crying. Except for when Jimmy came down with an ear infection. Did you know that Disney has its own visiting doctors? Yup, just call the front desk and they will send one to your room. It was the best since I am not sure what else I would have done. The doctor not only diagnosed the problem, but had the medicine Jimmy would need right in his bag. Better still, it was all covered by my insurance!
So, on with the trip. I had learned from my earlier trip to pack extra pacifiers and diapers. I wouldn't be caught off-guard this time. We spent days at the pool and nights at the parks since it was less crowded. Disney transportation took us everywhere. Rain ponchos were needed a couple of days, so of course we purchased the over-priced ones in the park. I mean - they had Mickey Mouse on them!
By the time we headed back home I had been pampered and relaxed beyond belief. One thing was for certain. I enjoyed spending so much time with my boys. Prior to this trip I spent so much time away that I felt like everyone else was raising my children. We had split babysitting duty between Mrs. Burns and a sitter named Patty. I had started going to night school so between work, school and travel I was missing out on a lot of high points.
I was quite on the way home as I thought about my next steps. But is was what happened on the plane that made my decision final. While flying over the Illinois border the plane suddenly dipped to one side. I am usually a nervous flyer but I have calmed myself by watching the flight attendants. If they don't look panicked, I am fine.
They looked stunned.
OK, I thought. That wasn't supposed to happen. Then the captain came on. "Folks, I'm going to ask you to keep your seat belts fastened. We have lost an engine. Don't worry, we can land with just one, but we want to make sure you are secure in your seats.
He sounded like he knew what he was talking about so I took him at his word.
However, when we landed the runway was lined with emergency vehicles and fire trucks. I'm guessing he wasn't being completely truthful.
All I kept thinking was that if we had crashed I would have left Jim with no one.
The next few weeks at work were difficult as I kept looking at the pictures of my children's smiling faces on the rides. I missed them. My boss gave me the itinerary for the next month and it appeared I would be home only one week - and that would be split up.
I went to her and asked if we could adjust it a bit, that I wanted to be home with my children more often. She told me I needed to decide what was more important to me. My kids or my job.
No contest.
The next day, with out event telling Jim, I gave my two weeks notice. I decided that I could make more money watching other peoples kids than I was making working and paying someone to watch mine.
It is a decision I have never once questioned. And I blame it on the mouse. He showed me what was really important.
My family.
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