Today at work I was standing near the front of the checkpoint when I saw a passenger needing additional help. The passenger, who I found out a little was named Jason, add dropped his white cane on the floor and was struggling with the items in his bag. I picked up his cane and handed it to him and said, “Hi, my name is Kelly can I assist you?” I noticed he had hearing aid and a lanyard around his neck that he was deaf and had very poor vision. I placed my hand on his shoulder to slow him from fumbling with his bag. I made eye contact and slowly said I was there to help him. Jason seem a little frantic to make sure everything was where it needed to be. Slowly I guided Jason to the body scanner and make sure the officers there knew what was happening; he had a few things in his pockets that required the area to be patted down. One the items was a pad of paper and a pen, realizing now I could write notes would make my communication easier. I met Jason on the other side of the scanner and took him to the table in the back, thankfully my co-worker Pam was there to help gather his items. I had Jason sit down as I handed him his shoes. I told Pam how to repack his bag. I wrote notes in my note pad, in big letters with my blue Sharpie, to Jason that his belonging were back in the bag and where his gate was; he said OK. Jason flight was not going leave for a couple hours, I wrote that I would be at work until 11:00am if he needed anything to come and find me. He left me with this note “Thanks for making things go smooth thru TSA.” He touched me on my shoulder and smiled. I kept an eye out for Jason until his flight was going to board. When it was time for boarding, I went to the gate. When I didn’t see Jason, I asked the gate agent if he had boarded, he had just a few minutes before I got there.
The first colonoscopy I had I left the magnesium citrate on the counter and drink it warm, this time I put it in the fridge and it was easier to drink. I definitely recommend that method! Also serving it in a fun glass made it more enjoyable!
After a day of a clear liquid diet it is onto the next step of the colonoscopy process. At noon today I had to take the Dulcolax. Beginning at 4:00 PM I need to drink the MiraLAX and Powerade every 15 minutes until it's gone.
One of the things I put on my list every year is to make sure I spent time with family and friends. I put that on there because I think it's a tragedy that we sometimes we don't see our friends and family until it's too late; we are standing at a funeral of a loved one. It's that moment when We often say, "I wish we had gotten together more."
Today I went to the funeral of young man named Isaiah. I have known Isaiah's family since I was in first grade. His aunt and I went through school together. His grandparents have been members of my church and wonderful loving and supportive people in my life. Though I hadn't seen Isaiah since his mom, sister, and brothers moved to South Carolina a number of years ago I often was able to keep up with him the photos and videos his mom would post on Facebook. Isaiah with an incredibly talented, loving, ever smiling young man; unfortunately inside him was often the opposite person. Isaiah struggled with being bipolar and it eventually took his life. Mental illness is the struggle that many people don't understand. I pray that people who struggle, on whatever level of mental health, they seek help. Today at the funeral I saw several people I haven't seen in a few years. In passing conversations I heard a couple people mention how long it's been since I've seen each other. To each person who reads this blog take a moment to call someone you haven't talk to in while and say hi let's get together and see each other. Isaiah was an incredible young man who brought joy to so many. He will be missed. |
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