Above and Beyond

Angel and I decided to leave Thayer on Saturday in order to avoid the thunderstorm which the weather services had predicted would hit Springfield on Sunday. Voc Rehab had arranged for me to check in to the Super 8 on Monday (since I was scheduled for MRC on Tuesday through Friday).

We could have left on Monday. However, it was unclear as to whether or not I was supposed to be at MRC on Monday.

After cleaning the Green Turtle and packing it for the week, we embarked for our journey. We arrived at the last rest area before reaching Oklahoma in the late afternoon. We decided that this would be our parking place until Monday.

In the early morning on Sunday, Angel met one of the park's maintenance crew. Later, as I was collecting Hickory nuts (they were abundant here), the same crewmember engaged me in conversation asking if I needed a bag to put my treasures in. I said, "yes" and she obliged by giving me one of her garbage bags. She asked if I was the one headed toward MRC and I responded that I was.

She introduced herself to me as "Robin" and said that, in addition to the roadside park, she also worked at MRC. She asked me why I was not staying at one of the several cottages at the MRC. I told her that I had been scheduled to stay at the Super 8 in town, but that I had arrived 2 days early. She told me that she was headed to the eastbound rest area but might see me again later. We bid adieu.

I began exercising my legs and Houston as we made several trips around the park. After some time, Robin returned and explained to me that the cottages (of which she spoke earlier) were reserved exclusively for medical staff of the MRC. But, she explained, there is a lounge at the MRC which is open until 9 p.m. She said that she had spoken to the security guard and that there'd be no problem if I wanted to go over there to get warm.

I thanked her for the info and mentioned that Angel and I would discuss this. I also told Robin that my gas was all that I had or all that I could get and it had to get me back home. So, I was unable to make extraneous trips between now and Friday.

Later, I told Robin that Angel and I would like to implement her idea. The weather had turned bitter-cold and had surprised us. The both of us were freezing and were most uncomfortable.

Robin stepped into the manager's area of the park to draw maps. She drew a map with the shortest distance from the park to MRC. Next, she drew a map of the MRC campus.

While Robin drew maps, a young man approached me to ask if I had a cell phone. He explained that he and his girlfriend (whom we observed to be pregnant) had had car trouble and would like to call his dad. I explained to him that my cell phone was persnickety but offered help in another way. (Cf. story on my personal blog.)

Angel and I went to the MRC campus per Robin's excellent directions. However, we decided that perhaps the best thing for us to do would be to negotiate with Super 8. They had been engaged to host us for 5 days, beginning Monday. What if we just moved the 5 days to Sunday?

This is what we did. And, much to Super 8's credit, we were able to spend a warm night with a comfortable bed. I'm not even going to mention the wonderful feel of showering!!

Life is good!

I remembered that, while working for Marimba, my boss, Ulf, used to issue an award called "Above and Beyond." I remember earning many of these. Well, I would like to acknowledge -- and to issue to -- Robin this award: ABOVE - AND - BEYOND!