Chili

As my adventure begins.... yes the one to Africa, it has the oddest of starts. Jennifer and I are off to Eugene for the Annual OSRC Chili Cook-Off. Yes the Valley River Inn is the home of the once infamous Inflatable Rock Star Chili Team.
after putting the obligatory 12 hour Tuesday night shift. It was complete with a pre-Africa work family dinner of Chicken and Rice. Over 15 things on the things to do list. ..shorten a pair of new jeans, purchased yesterday just for this trip, check with the nephrologist ( no return call again ! ) checking on travel insurance... messages, but no policy cards, laundry, clean sheets for my return, the end of the packing...( only to later discover on bag slightly over weight, one slightly under.... last minute adjustments brings them close enough to avoid fees) A Quick two hour Nap.... we are off... Perfect timing we arrive in time to set up for sales, Jen rocks it... selling $400. worth of samples ( at 25 cents a cup) I spend the first hour hugging and visiting with old friends and organizing the judges.
THIRTEEN TEAMS.... the ex-presidents.... are on their game. Better than ever. Marilyn, Janet and Linda...KING TOOT... champagne, fun and Eugene style Brownies. They win two of the three categories. The ringer from Washington State walks away with Judges Choice. The real winners. Future Students of Respiratory Care. $800 plus raised for the scholarship fund. Every year the OSRC award up to Four $500.00 scholarships. This year, only two applicants. sigh.... I guess they don't want our money. Add to the $800.00 the proceeds from tomorrows Silent Auction and the Scholarship fund will remain in tact for another Year. "they" claim they can't have the cook-off without me. So not true. Patti has the judging down cold, and Jeff Moore can handle the rest. One more year of mentor ship and I will relinquish the title. All I ask is that when I die they rename it the Marie KEYES MEMORIAL CHILI COOK-OFF. Good thing about tonight, while even though it was about Chilli, no one asked about Ted. so there were no tears. I couldn't help but think constantly of him. My chilli. sigh.....

He is with me as I embark on this journey. Like Aspen it is because of him I can do this. While he would have supported such an adventure, and I likely would have gone, it would have been with a different set of nerves and concerns. he freed me to experience this unencumbered. What an amazing gift. he continues to give to me very day.

Sigh

back to the Scholarship. Jen and I drive home, long dark drive up I-5. uneventful... the way I like it.... but mention again how the event is supported by the old guard. The retired and ex-board that brought the OSRC to its glory days. Gard, Norm, Connie, Joe, Chuck, Tim, Jen and so many more !! Special thanks to Gene, Irene and others not there in body, but there in spirit. The new therapists. just can't seem to stay involved. This is the plague of the profession. These 'others'.... they are my friends, my colleagues, the people I am proud to stand among.... no matter what hospital they represent. They are the best of the best. They support not only themselves but their profession. They would have no problem choosing a project to lead. these are the leaders of the past. Where are the leaders of the future? Are they receiving the scholarships? are they the Pirates and Hawaiians and Ducks of tonight's festivities. I hope so. I do not miss the tedium of meetings and committees and more things to do, but I miss my friends. It was good to see them. Hugs all around. Worth the five hours on an already packed day. YES !!! for the future, for the next set of leaders. Raise a glass to the RT's represented tonight. Helping with a fun event, begging for cash from old and new friends and vendors is the least I can do for my profession !!
Thanks Jen for being by my side, Thanks Jeff for your selling of the event. Thanks to the winners for going the extra mile and to all thirteen teams ...you win.... cause you were part of tonight !!

The plane is boarding, sleep awaits. Next stop JFK.