It’s hard to move on from different adventures in life. Then again, it may be extremely easy. Often it is neither one nor the other, but is extremely difficult on both fronts. Here we have demobilized Operation Double Trouble, a job well done for TR, the amazing people I volunteer with and for the communities we were able to assist in Texas.
While on an operation we ride this emotional high. The high of seeing friends who live at a distance, making new friends, integrating in to a new community (or two), and being able to do some really positive work for people who are in need. As we shuffled off to the airport those of us from R7 were already planning the steps for the next operation we were rolling out back home. Mama C, JS, B, and I are all tired, but we keep on moving. Simultaneously other volunteers have moved home to their respective regions to stand up their own operations due to severe weather.
It is really hard to determine why we do what we do, because it is so multifaceted. It is the looks on the faces of homeowners we have helped, and the warm fuzzies that each of us volunteers feels inside at knowing we serve an important purpose in life. Saying goodbye to so many people this morning was sad. There were many promises to visit and wishes of safe travels. I know that with what I am doing now I could truly visit these amazing people, whereas before the better promise was of seeing them on the next operation. I love the friendships and acquaintances I make on our operations, but I truly wish I could get to know each of them on a deeper level. It is thoughts like this that build the wanderers journey.
Our exhaustion was at a high after two airplane rides and crossing fingers that the tech kit did not get left behind. There was the moment when the bright orange case did not show up on the conveyor belt and the awkward discussion that followed went something like this:
Me: “Excuse me, but my travelling companion went to get the car and she has the checked bag receipt for a giant orange….”
Airline Attendant: “I THINK I SAW THAT!”
At which point she took me to the elevator and opened the doors to reveal our giant orange tech kit which is apparently too heavy or fragile for the standard baggage claim. I just found it funny that I didn’t get out more than “giant orange” and she knew what I was talking about.
We picked up our luggage and our giant orange tech kit and loaded up. Mama C and I opted to go straight to the next operation, to determine the extent of the work. By the end of this very long day we have determined we will be continuing assessment operations tomorrow to determine the extent of the damage due to straight line winds in Independence, MO.
We had a few good laughs coming up with a name, one that was suggested was “Buck Stopper”, which I heard as Buck Stuffer (my ears are acting up again… YAY FLOOD CRUD!). I vehemently refused to let them call the operation that as it would be a terrible name. After about 30 minutes of joking around it dawned on them that I had misheard and they set me straight explaining that name. In the end National decided that it was Operation Drowned Oxen (my vote was Oregon Trail, but they went a little more comical).
I think I will be here past the upcoming holiday. Should be interesting to be working in Independence on Independence Day! I’m exhausted, but it is a good kind of exhaustion. I have to keep going though, because people are in need. With that in mind I will sign off for the night and get some much needed rest.
Signing off from Independence, MO and Operation Drowned Oxen