We just came back from a little family vacation in Vail, CO where we spent several days enjoying the quiet beauty of the mountains. It’s a total perk of living in Colorado Springs that we get to take these amazing vacations in our “backyard.” And Vail, well – it’s a family favorite. We’ve been going to the same little cabin for 8 years now. A wonderful family in Denver owns it and they always keep our names on their “back up” list in case they have vacancies. I just love feeling like we are truly “part” of this little peace of heaven.
The view from our little Vail escape
We spent a couple of days biking, hiking and hanging out. Since I started this blog, I’ve been more aware of what is happening and keep a closer eye on the general comings and goings around me. The first day I noticed a little guy – probably 3 – all by himself walking from shop to shop. I stopped and watched him for a few minutes – worried he was truly alone and not just a bit ahead of his family. After a short while, he wandered off with a bigger group – and happily my assistance wasn’t needed. 🙂
A couple of hours later we were having dinner at a busy pizza place and I noticed a cell phone plugged into a wall but no one around it – the table nearby had cleared out about 20 minutes before. I mentioned the phone to our waitress (who was just about to step on it) and she promptly unplugged it and took it up front for safe keeping. I was doubly proud of myself. 🙂 First – I saved the phone from an untimely foot stomp AND got it to the front desk where it could be easily picked up by its owner. As I was patting myself on my back, I noticed a women several tables over glance our way, get visibly upset and begin to quickly walk towards our table. She looked at me – then toward the floor where the “abandoned” cell phone was – and back at me again. Apparently the phone wasn’t left behind – just being charged a few tables away from the owner. She was NOT pleased. Oh well…can’t win ’em all, right?
Good deed gone awry!
I was, however, able to redeem myself just a little bit later when the kids were at the fountain and playground. While they ran around like crazy – jumping through the fountain and climbing all over the play structures – I noticed an elaborate balloon sword was blowing across the ground. As a parent – I just KNEW losing that balloon spelled nothing but heartache – for the kiddo AND the poor parents who would have to try to find a replacement. I leaped into action and promptly grabbed the balloon before it could blow away and stuck it securely into the bench where its owner would easily find it.
Balloon crisis averted!
So, while nothing I did was extraordinary, I still feel good about it. I like to think that this journey is making me more aware in general, and as a result I am a kinder, gentler person as a whole. And that’s a good thing, right?