Monday Morning Boost: Following The Yellow Brick Road
What do you do when you’re on a flight, and you really need to work on a project, but you have an opportunity to engage in an incredible conversation with the person sitting next to you?
As for me, I tend to engage in conversation. That’s exactly what happened last night on a flight home from Kansas instead of writing today’s Monday Morning Boost.
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
When Dorothy and Toto realized they, were “not in Kansas anymore,” they followed the Yellow Brick Road to find their “no place like home.”
My yellow brick road was yellow GPS lines that took my oldest son Cody and me on a road trip from the home where he grew up in Hyde Park, Utah, to his new home in Manhattan, Kansas.
The Army has been Cody’s life since he was a kid. For the last 8 years, he’s been stationed around the country and the world. His new home is now Fort Riley in Kansas. This is his fourth base assignment, the last three years in Germany. He has 8 years with the active duty Army preceded by 6 years with the Utah Army National Guard.
Fort Riley is home to the 1st Infantry Division. Affectionately known as the Big Red 1, after its shoulder patch, the 1st Infantry Division is the oldest division in the United States Army. Organized in 1917, the division has seen continuous service ever since.
Cody’s service with the 1st Infantry Division has a personal connection for me. When I deployed to Iraq, our unit was attached to the Big Red 1 for part of our time. It is the combat patch I wear on the right shoulder of my uniform.
Not only is Cody got a new Army home, he has also bought his first home. He’s 31 and this is a huge deal to be able to secure his first home. For perspective, I was 33 before Elisa and I bought our first (and current) home.
My sister Rachael drove down from Omaha to meet us. We took in a Kansas State Football game (talk about Big 12 energy!) and then watched Utah State take home a win against Air Force to go 3-0 for the first time in decades.
I’ve loved the road trip with Cody. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I’m honored to be his dad and grateful for our wonderful friendship and love.
WRITING ON THE FLIGHT
While I didn’t get the Monday Morning Boost written while flying, I did write a poem inspired by the conversation with a physical therapist and collegiate soccer player. When I asked her what made her great, after a bit of pondering she answered with confidence she was compassionate.
THE THERAPIST TOUCH
By Les Patterson
Torn ligaments and broken bones
Physicians set in place to heal
Trained by skills experience proves
Accredited by their professional seal
The healing journey then continues
With the touch of a therapist’s hand
Also trained with certifiable skills
In their care is a good place to land
With a firm grip of accountability
Stretch deep they will your soul
Magnified by compassionate touch
They will guide your journey whole
Such a gift is more than just a skill
Design to fix the damaged part
The loving help of a therapist’s touch
Will create the path to a healing heart
~~~~~~~
