In February of 1994 my grandfather was prematurely taken
from us. A driven under the influence of cocaine hit my grandparents’ car
immediately taking my grandpa from us and leaving my grandmother in intensive
care. To make matters worse, I was in Camp Pendleton barely eight months in to
my service in the Marine Corps. The Red Cross contacted the Officer of the Day;
he tracked me down and delivered the difficult news. I don’t remember many
particulars as far as travel arrangements or how I got home. All I remember was
that the people around me then, did everything they could to make a terrible
situation better.
It was important for me to be there for my grandmother and
the rest of my family. Getting home from California and back afterwards must
have taken some logistical finagling but it was all worth it. I served as a
pallbearer at my grandfather’s funeral in my Dress Alpha uniform. Big Paul
would have been proud.
Twenty years later, the thought of something catastrophic
happening back home while I’m away has crossed my mind. Here in Alaska, this
may be one of my biggest fears. It’s difficult to think that way but I cannot
lie – I would never want that stranded feeling of helplessness so far from home
again.
Yesterday a fellow teacher here in Kivalina lost her sister
to a stroke. Coleen is our Special Education teacher and one heck of a cool
lady. She’s a self described “reformed hippie” and nearing the end of a second
career. Coleen actually retired from the construction business a few years
back, got a teaching degree and has taken to a life of travel and adventure.
Last year she taught in China. This year she’s here with us in Kivalina. At 63
years old, she’s spunky and always smiling. She works her tail off for these
kids and for me is a great reminder of life back in Minnesota.
Ya see, Coleen is from Milaca – less than 49 miles from my
home in Pine City! We are practically neighbors. Here in Kivalina, we are
neighbors; less than 30 yards separate our homes. She would be someone that I
would naturally gravitate towards even without our common bond of the great
Gopher State. So when I found out she was hurting and heading home, I offered
her a hug and support in any way that I could.
What I saw today was inspiring.
With a few more details available, Coleen knew that she was
ready to leave Kivalina soon. She came in to our morning football breakfast
looking for help. I was privileged to watch some great people show heartfelt
compassion for a co-worker and a friend.
Emma immediately jumped on Alaska Airline’s web site and
began navigating the difficult world of flight arrangements. Lyle got on the
phone with Ravn Air and sought availability for seats on today’s remaining
afternoon flights. With a few options listed and Coleen emotionally worn we all
started making decisions on her behalf. Lyle handed the phone off to Bill and
he offered up his pre-booked holiday flights if the Airline would accommodate.
Typically rebooking fees are astronomical when the price of
the original ticket was purchased on a “fire sale”. Ravn Airlines was very easy
to work with and only charged a 25-dollar fee for Bill to change the dates from
Christmas until NOW and the names from his to Coleen’s. Round trip tickets from
Kivalina to Kotzebue and back where no longer something to worry about.
Lyle went up to the school and fetched the necessary
paperwork for bereavement leave after he and I discussed the contractual
obligations of the district in such situations. Emma knocked out the finally
arrangements for last minute flight bookings and enrollments in Flight Plans to
save her some money on the way back. She even forked over a gift card that she
has for a restaurant in the Seattle airport – breakfast for tomorrow morning in
Seattle was covered. And I ran home to retrieve my cell phone.
I gave Coleen my cell phone which doesn’t actually work in
Kivalina but is online and working as soon as you reach Kotzebue. So Coleen
would have contact with any of us and any of her family from Kotz, Anchorage,
Seattle and in to Minneapolis. I showed Coleen Lyle and Emma’s numbers as
stored contacts and even offered up my wife’s number as a point of contact once
she reaches Minnesota tomorrow evening. I handed her the charger and told her
that my unlimited minutes are now her unlimited minutes. I expect her to use it
as needed.
With a plane inbound in less than 2 hours, we sent her home
to pack. Nancy, her roommate, was baking the best pumpkin and chocolate muffins
and offered her own gentle support. I hooked up the trailer to the school ATV
and Emma printed off boarding passes and itineraries. All of us sat in the
office at the school listening to the VHF for flight updates and making small
talk.
We were all there to hug her goodbye and wish her well – it was
a quick couple of hours but handled with military like precision.
When Coleen is surrounded by her friends, family and loved
ones in Minnesota in the coming days I know she’ll think back on the “family”
that she’s left back here in Kivalina. We’re going to miss her while she’s
gone.
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