A set of Stairs

How can the same set of steps have the greatest memory and the poorest memory of my lifetime? In 2008, I spent the day after Thanksgiving in downtown Louisville walking around, watching the parade, and seeing the lights, fireworks and music come on for the start of the celebration of Christmas. I was able to spend that day with my mom, Joel, and a few friends who joined us later on. Little did I know that was a day that would change my life. While Joel, mom , and I were spending our day downtown, Joel had a beautiful ring in his pocket, waiting for the perfect moment to bend his knee and ask me to be his bride. While everyone else was packing up their blankets and kids, we were celebrating a wonderful moment. It was the best Light up Louisville I had ever experienced.

Thanksgiving came back around before we knew it and it was time to head downtown once again. This year was a little different because instead of watching the parade, we had the chance to be in it with my Aunt and her work. Me, Joel, Michael, and my Aunt were all in the parade while my mom sat on those famous steps to take pictures and save us a seat. After silly hats, cold feet, and lots of passing out candy, we headed back to the stairs to watch the magical lights and fireworks once again begin the Christmas season. While we were sitting and waiting, my mom received a phone call. From the look on her face, I knew instantly something was not right. Without explaining, she jumped up, grabbed her purse, and practically jumped down the stairs. My aunt followed, somehow knowing what was going on. Because my grandmother had been in the hospital, I had a feeling the phone call might have involved her. While everyone else was waiting anxiously for the even to begin, we back our blankets and people and headed out to one of the worst nights.

How can one set of stairs hold so many memories? It really is bitter sweet for me each time I think of Light up Louisville, or drive pass that building with the stairs on them. Will the day after Thanksgiving ever be the same? I suppose it will get a little easier each year, and I hope that the good moments will shine through while the gloomy ones will slowly fade out. I didn’t make it to Light up Louisville this year, and I’m not really sure why. I think it’s because I am afraid. Afraid that the memories will be too much. It’s amazing what those stairs can hold.

Searching

Since I moved back to Kentucky I have been searching daily for a job. There have been lots of possibilities and "almost" jobs, but something always falls through. The first I thought would be great - working close to home as the property manager of the apartments I live at. The commute would be great; resulting in about a one minute walk to the office. My dog wouldn't have to be locked up in the kennel all day. I could go home for lunch. My mother would be the one training me. I was told it was a sure thing, no way they wouldn't hire me, it wouldn't make sense to hire someone else. So what happened? They hired someone else. Maybe it's a good thing. My neighbors don't have to be my enemies. I won't have to bug them about paying their rent, or parking in the wrong places, or picking up their dog's mess. There won't be anyone coming to knock on my door in the middle of the night because they got locked out of their apartment. After I realized I wouldn't get that job, I started applying to other jobs.

I found a website that was very helpful with applying for jobs. Instead of spending 45 minutes on each application it took seconds because my information was saved on the site. I applied for several jobs, mostly at non-profit organizations. Most placed didn't respond to my applications at all, and the ones that did said I wasn't qualified enough, didn't have enough education, didn't have enough experience, blah blah blah. I did end up getting an interview from one place. They even offered the job to me! I shared a couple concerns with them about the child development center where I would be working, and they decided I would be too much to handle I guess, because they then took the job away from me.

After Joel's sister came to visit and we talked about various things, I thought that maybe being a nanny would be the job for me. I love caring for children, but would rather not work in a daycare setting. I found a website that several parents advertise nanny positions and I set up a profile and started applying. I went to an interview for a possible nanny job and did a trial day a couple days later. I spent time with the three year old first. We had a great time playing and learning, until he locked me in the basement. Later on the 5 year old came home and we had a great time, and got some one on one time while her brother was taking his nap. The girl and I were downstairs playing when she let me know I needed to go upstairs and get her a drink. I responded with, "Well, we can go upstairs together and get it, but I'm not getting it for you."
       "But you need to. I'm thirsty. My other baby sitter goes and gets me a drink when I want it."
       "I'm not doing it for you, you are able to go upstairs and we can go up together and get it." After a little bit, she suggests we play hide-and-seek and I figured she was over the drink thing. She said she would count and I would hide, which was fine. So she starts counting and I hide, then when she gets to 20, I see her turn and run for the stairs. Because I saw what her brother did earlier, I knew what she was doing. Why did I hide under the trampoline? I should have hid somewhere easier to get out of. I raced up the steps, but she was already on the other side, when the door locked, once again. Thankfully her mom was home and unlocked the door. I later laughed about the situation, thinking that this was something from a movie about crazy kids trying to get their nanny out of the house. The girl and I later on talked about it, and she told me, "Sometimes I do that to my babysitters," All because I wouldn't go get her a drink! What crazy times this has been. I have yet to find a permanent job, but I am getting a pretty funny story out of the journey!