Of Fireworks, Man, and God

Not sure if my title makes much sense... but perhaps by the end of my post it will.

2 days ago this nation celebrated the 4th of July, our Independence Day.  I haven't celebrated this holiday in many years as I have been living too far away from friends and family and have opted to work since lighting off fireworks by yourself is sort of... well.. lonely.  This year, having just moved to Chicago, my plans were to continue unpacking initially but then my Cousin who lives an hour away invited me to join his family as they celebrated with some of his work/church friends.  Hard decision... I know... keep unpacking or go enjoy some good food and company followed by a fireworks show.  I readily agreed and pushed off the final unpacking for later (I will get to it... one of these days... honest I will). 

So, off I went and the celebration was a fun, relaxing, and family oriented event.  We met with the Christiansen (sp?) family around 3:30, watched the kids run around while we mostly sat and talked.  I being the new guy did a lot of listening and a very small amount of talking, not that I would have done much different if I wasn't the new guy.  Partway through the afternoon Seth showed off all the fireworks he had obtained.  It was quite the hall and I admit to feeling some excitement akin to what I felt as a child.  There were plenty of smoke bombs, snakes, and snappers for the kids to play with.  Some sparklers and firecrackers as well.  But the excitement for me came from the big "mortars".  These are the fireworks that shoot up in the air and explode in beautiful displays of color.  There were several of them with the grand finale being a mortar that would shoot off 19 different blasts in short order.  Yep, this was going to be a night to remember and yes, there is some foreshadowing intended.

As the sun began to inch its way toward the horizon the kids went out front to play with the more age appropriate fireworks and I kept relaxing, switching between listening to the conversations and watching the kids have fun.  It was truly a relaxing evening with good food and company.  I really enjoyed not having to think about work or unpacking and just being able to relax for a time.  As the evening moved on it became dark enough for the sparklers and soon the kids were all running around enjoying their beauty.  I always loved sparklers as a kid and enjoyed watching the little ones enjoying them.  I don't know if I can get these videos to work or not... and they fall short of showing the true dance skills of Seth's son, but maybe you can get a feel for how much excited energy he felt having the sparklers in his hands.  He was almost as entertaining to watch as the sparklers were!

Finally came the moments us big kids were waiting for.  Seth and I started lighting off the big fireworks and I admit it was exciting to light the fuse and here a dull thump followed by an explosion of colored sparks in the sky.  We lit off several of the smaller ones then let some of the teenaged kids light off some, I had moved back towards the families watching the fireworks to enjoy their beauty from a little farther distance and this is when things went wrong.  The way a mortar works is fairly straightforward and simple.  A group of tubes containing shells are all wrapped together and one by one the shells shoot off into the air where they explode.  This is assuming the mortar is pointing straight up as it is intended to be.  The problems began when one of the mortars knocked itself on its side after shooting off one or two of its shells and began shooting the shells all over the place, each shot changing its position.  The first one went down the street away from everyone and we all thought it was odd, then the shells began firing at us.  I mean directly at us, all of us sitting in front of the Garage were in its line of fire.  The moment of fun became, in an instant, a moment of panic.  Fireworks in the sky are pretty, fireworks right beside you are dangerous.  The next several seconds passed by both in slowly and quickly at the same time, I don't know how else to describe it.  In reality it only lasted maybe 10 seconds but felt like it was going on forever. 

The events that filled up the 10 seconds included lots of scrambling for cover, some kids screaming in fear, and some very close moments.  Seth's son was dancing away at the start and had one of the shells fly right between his legs and explode behind everyone.  I remember thinking I needed to protect everyone then having a shell impact my leg, I looked down and saw the shell right by me and I had a distinct impression to jump, which I did not a moment too soon as it exploded sideways shooting its sparks underneath me.  Seth was hit by a shell and had the hair on his leg burned away.  And... that was it.  Nobody suffered any serious injuries and after we all regained our composure we went back to shooting off the remaining mortars, albeit with a lot more respect for their true danger (we skipped one that was shaped like the one that fell over). 

It could have been worse.  It could have been much much worse.  The shell that hit me was heading right for where everyone was running to get away from the danger.  The shell that hit Seth was heading dangerously close to the remaining fireworks and could have started a chain reaction.  There were so many people standing around in the line of fire, the fact nobody got seriously injured is, in my mind, a true miracle and as I look back on the event I am convinced we were protected that night.  The shells that hit people did no harm, the shells that exploded by people did so in a way that did not spread fire to the house or onto anyone.  A dozen kids running around avoided all injury, Mothers and Fathers and 2 Grandparents came away shaken but intact.  By all logical reasoning there should have been at least one injury, statistically speaking it would have been the safe bet.  Yet there was none.  I am not one to find miracles in every single aspect of daily living... I tend to be a bit skeptical and view events as just being part of life, but there is no doubt in my mind this was an abnormal experience.  Why was I instructed to jump?  My normal reaction would be to move away, but instead I jumped and suffered no burns.  Shells seemed to magically miss people, diving between legs and arms to explode at a safe distance behind.  Everyone had a scare to be certain but when you realize what happened and how dangerous the situation truly was, the only possible explanation for me is that of a Loving Father in Heaven who was most definitely watching over us that night. 

The Move (with pictures)

So at long last the job offer was made and accepted and the time came for me to pack up and head North. Since I rarely remember to take pictures of anything I am doing I thought I should take some shots of my move.  Nothing super fancy or exciting, but hey... pictures!

My "ten foot" truck.  They didn't have a ten footer so I got a sixteen foot truck instead.  Lucky me... more space than I needed and worse on gas. But hey... they didn't charge me extra.  The hotel in the background is where I have spent the past 3 years working.  I will miss some of the people I worked with but I am glad to be leaving TN. 

Bridge over the river that separates Kentucky from Illinois.  I have crossed this bridge many times over the past 3 months.

The sign up ahead... that means I am now "home". 

Where did all the trees go?? One of the things I loved about TN was the trees.  Everywhere you drove it was like driving down a tunnel of trees they were so thick on both sides.  I meant to take a picture of that but well... I tend to forget to take pictures in case you didn't know.

Home.  This is where I will be living for the next stage of my life.  The apartment complex has a town home feel to it, mine is on the 2nd floor far left, you can see the dining room window.

30814, that is mine. 

Empty

Full
Lots of work still to do before the boxes are all empty and the place becomes more like a home but I was blessed to have some members of the ward show up and help me get my super heavy furniture inside (that leather sofa is a nightmare to move but ohhhhh so comfy to sit on)

I love the layout of this apartment, it is a one bedroom with a den (my guest room/movie room), has a fireplace and a spacious bathroom that has an oversized tub and a shower head that is taller than I am!  The shower head at my last house was about a foot lower than I am and not fun to use. I don't like the lack of ceiling lights in the bedroom/den (will have to buy some floor lamps) and the parking is a bit of a challenge, but overall it is a true improvement over my previous residence.

 

So, for those that want to know, here is my new address:

 

 

30814 Village Green Boulevard

Warrenville, IL 60555

 

 

Now I must return to the task of unpacking all the boxes cluttering up my living room and finding out just what I still need to buy to make this place "home".  Guess I know what I will be doing this weekend. For as much as I dislike moving I sure seem to be doing it a lot lately.

 

 

 

 



Decision Made

When I headed up to Chicago almost 3 months ago to help with the Hampton Inn Naperville property I thought a decision would have been made by now.  I was on property for one week when I got a call and was told he was going to speed up the process and get me going even faster than originally thought, then the wheels fell off the wagon and the whole process went into slow motion.  Grandpa's death, a head cold, a baptism, and several weeks mixed in between and I still haven't received an offer.  Then the big bombshell conference call came last Friday, the ownership of my hotel (and the Chicago hotel as well) was in the process of selling off all of their hotels. 

This could result in new management company taking over, it could result in no job for me, it could result in no changes at all.  Lots of uncertainty regarding it and very little information to calm the concerns. 

Fun times.

Through it all I have had several verbal indications I would be offered the Naperville job, but still no actual offer letter with a start date and salary offering, something I have to have before accepting the position as the cost of living in Chicago is significantly higher than it is in Pickwick. 

And so I continue to wait and wait and wait.  And wait some more.

Well...  the waiting is officially over.  I just received the official offer letter for the GM position at the Chicago Naperville Hampton Inn.  It was more than I was asking for.  I have accepted the position and will now be working on moving up to Chicago.  My official start date is June 30th, I have already found a place I want to live (it is a bit pricey but a good community, close to my hotel, and it has a racquetball court!) and will be looking at it closely this weekend.  I may even get around to posting some pictures.  Maybe.  

Anyway, for everyone that has been including me in their prayers I want to say Thank You.  I am excited to be closer to Cousins and closer to an airport with direct flights to Utah.  As for the hotel sell off, well... time will tell what that brings. 

So Seth and Julie, look out, I am about to be in "close" proximity permanently.  Or as permanently as you can get in this day and age.

Update on Chicago

Since the question I am being asked the most by everyone has to do with my application to the Hampton Inn Naperville property I have decided to update the status here, even though there isn't much new to report.

I am still in a holding pattern on the job and will remain so for at least another 2 weeks.  This means I will remain as a Task Force GM in Naperville though the remainder of May and into June.  There are several reasons for this delay (AVP dealing with other property challenges, budget challenges, timing issues, etc etc etc) but the biggest reason occurred 2 Saturday's ago.  The GM of the Gurnee Hampton Inn (where I have stayed when visiting Seth and Julie next to 6 flags) suffered the loss of his wife.  This has a direct impact on my job situation as he has been staying in Gurnee for the past decade so as to be able to take care of his wife who was quite ill.  As he is now dealing with this loss we want to give him a chance to mourn before seeing if he wants to move.  If he does, given his history in the Chicago area, he would be a better candidate for the Naperville location and then I would be considered for the Gurnee location. 

So... no real new news, still working out of Naperville as a Task Force GM and waiting, but at least now there is a reason behind the waiting.  If I had to pick between the two properties I am not sure which I would prefer.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages.  In the end either location would be a move in the right direction for me so I will continue to wait and do what I can to help improve Naperville while I am there regardless of whether or not I end up at that location.

Decision Updates

I met today with the Area Director over the Hampton Inn Naperville.  Last week he had indicated a desire to speed up my application process so I thought maybe he would be bringing an official offer to the table but this was not the case.  Too many things happening for him right now so the timing of my offer just isn't right, give it a couple more weeks and we will start moving forward then.  So... I remain in Naperville as the Task Force GM through the end of this month and part way into next month.  Which is basically what I was expecting when I first came out here and not the main reason for this post.

While shopping for some odds and ends this evening I received a call from a social worker covering Savannah, TN wanting to perform a home inspection.  I haven't had one in half a year now and am WAY overdue.  Of course, being in Naperville makes this rather difficult and after explaining my situation and listening to her terse and, to be honest, annoyed response, I came to the sad but firm conclusion that it was time for me to give up on my attempt at becoming a foster parent. 

I am very lucky blessed.  I have not been treated poorly by my friends and family.  I have been trusted with their children from time to time and, to a small degree, have been able to experience the joy that comes from being around children.  I love all of the little ones (some not so little anymore) in my life and have to point out something that may not be said nearly enough...  you Moms and Dads are doing a TERRIFIC job!  I don't think I need to mention how precious they are, I see that enough in your eyes when you hold them and care for them.  So Thank You for being the examples you are to them and to me.

One Decision Made

Along with all the activities going on over the past few weeks I have been smack dab in the middle of deciding about pursuing the job opportunity for me in Naperville, IL.  I have been at this hotel now for a week and have spent a great deal of time driving to and from downtown Chicago to spend some priceless time with my parents.  I did find some time to drive around the city of Naperville and I have gotten to know the staff at this property while also getting the big picture on what it is going to take to get this hotel to perform at the levels it is expected to perform.  I have tried out several restaurants, experienced some cold weather (this week, not last, and nowhere near as cold as it will get in the true winter months), and checked the baseball schedules to see when my Red Sox will be in town (this week if you were wondering, and I wont be going as there are more important things for me to do).  Then end result is....

I have decided to go for it. 

There are still lots of things that have to happen before an official offer is made and accepted but I am now officially working towards that goal and, barring some unexpected situation, I expect to be moving to the Chicago area in May.

Farewell for now

I have tried to write this post 4 different times now.  There are so many things I want to say and yet, when I sit down to type them up, I find myself overwhelmed with the thought of stating what my Grandfather has meant to me throughout my life.  I think I will instead save those thoughts and feelings for when we all get together for the viewing and funeral next week.  Instead, I have decided to share the words of an Apostle of God. 

When I first heard that Grandpa's time was at an end it was during General Conference weekend.  The talks, as always, were wonderful and inspiring, but there was one talk in particular that seemed to be directed at me.  The words were what I needed to hear and the spirit was so gentle as I listened to the message being delivered.  I have since gone back and read, and re-read President Uchtdorf's talk entitled "Grateful in Any Circumstances".  I could post it all here but I will instead share the paragraph that struck me the most, so forgive me now as I borrow the words of this wonderful servant of God.

"We are not made for Endings"

"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us?  There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this?  Because we are made of the stuff of eternity.  We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number.  Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all.  They are merely interruptions- temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."

As I prepare to return home to participate in the events we associate with the ending of life I am truly comforted to know this life is not all.  Our Grandfather has moved on, and for a time we will be separated from him.  But I know he lives on and we will see him again. I have been blessed to have known him for almost 40 years now and, when the time comes for me to leave this earth, I look forward to thanking him for all he did for me here in this temporary state we call life.