Wednesday, July 27, 2011

When good people do GREAT things.

I'm retired military, wow you say I look to young to be retired military? You are so kind, I'm flattered, I'm, I'm...I'm needing to get back to blogging today's reason that I am sending a shout out to gate guards and to Justin, in the ID office at the United States Naval Academy.  These three guys are the reason for my story that I am about to tell. They did a wonderful thing for me today, and for that gentlemen...I am truly grateful.

As I was starting to say, I am retired military (Seabee...OOO Rah!) and since my tango with Hodgkins disease in 1994, I am required to take 5 prescriptions a day, the newest being Metformin a.k.a. Glucophage. Yes, it is used for diabetic reasons and due to a secondary illness that was discovered in December of 2010.  I have learned over the years, that when a doctor prescribes any medications it is in my best interest to take them, as bad things have happened to me in the past, when I thought I knew best.

So now that I have given this tidbit of information, let set the stage for the events that transpired and how I almost began to panic. It was 6:30 this morning, I had been up for about an hour and got my husband and my son feed and off to work. My plan, hang out on the computer for a bit then get my youngest son up and ready for his summer camp program.  But instead I found myself standing in front of my dresser in my bedroom and was stricken with a rush of fear.  Not because I was trying to avoid my mirror, because there is nothing more horrific that my face looking back at me in the morning. I had realized that I had only one Metformin pill left, but the worst part was that I still had not found my military ID that has been missing since Monday of this week. Without that small piece of blue plastic with my name and rank on it, there is no base access and with base access...there is no prescription refills. Now my husband believes that my being a blonde has a lot to do with my excellent ability to loose things. My response to that - I'm a blonde because a Loreal hair coloring kit says I can be, (Yes, I'm smiling), and I don't loose things...I just miss place them temporarily - OK, most of the time. But when I do loose something, honey it's gone for good.

At this point in my morning, my first thought after my streak of fear...go online and make an appointment, which is what I did, but couldn't get one until August 1, at 13:30 (1:30 pm Civilian time). I got the appointment but then having a blonde moment, don't tell my husband, I realized that this still would not help me in getting my prescription refilled and I could not take my prescription anywhere off the base. On the appointment slip that I printed out, I saw instructions for getting onto the base if someone had lost there ID card.  I would have to obtain a day pass. Everyone out there that has tried to get on a military base and needed to get a day pass, knows what this process is. Lets just say it's mounds of red tape and stress. There are moody customer service representatives and heaven forbid you don't have two forms of proper ID that has your picture on it. Then you need proof of car insurance and registration information, contact phone numbers, next of kin, your under ware size, what foods you like, who's your favorite college football team...OK, OK, maybe not that extreme but you get my point.

I was not looking forward to two hours of this unwanted stress. Suddenly my brain kicked in full gear and a little voice said, "If you smile, they'll let you in", you know like the same voice from the movie Field of Dreams - "If you build it they will come". Hahah, Couldn't resist. So I got my make-up on so that I could be seen in public without fear of being arrest by Police for Horrific exposure. Yes, with out make-up, I can make Medusa look like Ms. Universe.  I found my military service release document, because it had my social security number, my drivers license and truck registration, oh and one more very important item...a copy of my newly published book "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves". It has my picture on the cover, so there is another form of ID. *wink*. Ok, that was not the reason I took a book with me, I'm not that blonde, but I did have motive as to why I did bring one. My plan, if I could get on the base, then I would give the guy that would help me get my new ID, today instead of Monday, a free signed copy.
I also decided not to obtain a day pass and went right to the check-in gate. I had my registration and drivers license so the guards would know that my base stickers, that were current, were mine and this was my truck I was driving. I was thrilled when I gave both guards a smile and they gave me a smile and asked "Is that you?"  I have an advertisement decal on the drivers door of my truck to promote my book. Before I knew it, I was telling them my story and that I am trying to raise money for the "Wounded Warrior Foundation".  I enjoyed telling them it was about my military career, etc. etc, then I explained my dilemma and showed them the empty prescription bottle. To make a long story short, they let me in with the stipulation, I must bring them back a business card. Which I did as soon as I realized I had some in my purse of doom. Ah yes the purse of doom, I'm going to leave that story for another day.

It was nice to walk into the ID office and see that nobody was waiting.  It was as if the office had been opened for just little ole me. I threw the guys behind their desks the best smile I could and then I felt my worry face take over. I explained my situation, but then let them know...I came with a bribe and would use it if I needed to, so I could get my appointment today instead of Monday.
Justin, laughed and said, "we don't need a bribe, my nine o'clock appointment never showed up. You came in at the perfect time, are you a dependant?"
 I was so glad that I wasn't, I am the sponsor which makes the process of obtaining ID cards, lost or expired, easier. He took the information that I brought with me, and in less than seven minutes I had a freshly laminated ID card in my palm of my hand.  I don't think he'll ever know how thankful I was for his kindness and his willingness to process my card rather than have me wait until Monday.  I couldn't help it, my bribe was no longer that, it was now a gift and a thank you of kindness. I signed a book for him that said - "Justin, thank you for keeping me healthy and getting me a new ID card.  Most Sincerely, Stacey L. Bolin 7/27/2011

In our world today, it seems like some people are just to busy to take the time to help others. While others always seem so angry and negative all the time, that everything in the world is bad, that no good can be found. Now being that I nearly died from my illness in 1995, the world to me is where I'd rather be and that I do my best to stay positive, yes I fall off the wagon into negative ville, but I'm quick to jump back on the positive road and keep looking towards the future.  To quote the music group - Timbuk 3, "The futures So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades."  Thanks for reading my blog today and I hope that you keep this in mind. I am asking all of you, take the time, if someone does something nice for you - Pay It Forward, it just might change a life.

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