Hope

 

September 23, 2024

Caregiving is not for the faint of heart. But sometimes it is thrust on you and you just have to do what you have to do. But we also do it for love of the person you are taking care of. It's been 8 1/2 years since my husband needed to retire on disability. Each year finding him losing more and more of himself and his abilities. I found that I could do things that I never thought I would have to do. It does take a toll on both of us. Some days I fail and others I hope have better results. Just when you think you've got a handle on it, something new comes up and changes the routine. This year, my caregiving duties expanded a little. Our son was dealing with cancer that just didn't seem to want to let go of him. It has spread several times, but he has always fought it. I was able to help him out by driving him to appointments mostly. I feel like our time together has brought us a little closer than we had been. I am grateful for that. Now, more recently, another close family member has also been diagnosed with a cancer. When will this stop? I can't take this anymore! Why?! All questions I have been asking myself. There are no answers, of course. But I do try to keep my positive attitude. I credit it with my being able to deal with all of this that life has given us, yes, good and bad things both.

I turned another corner this week. After not being able to cry for anything, happy or sad, the last few years, I have cried two days in a row now. Yesterday, I noticed that our niece's church where she is the pastor, offered to add people's names to have prayers said for them. It came at the right time as our family has recently had a third case of cancer hit us. I gave the three names and watched the service streamed on YouTube. As our niece said their names and she also added to pray for those who care for these persons, I finally had a cry. It just got to me. Cancer needs to leave us alone. But I thanked her later and told her how much it meant and that her sermon also applied to me this week.

Today, I had a routine maintenance checkup on our furnace. The technician had gotten lost coming because of an address mixup and when he called I made sure he had the correct address and I told him that we have a wheelchair ramp in front of our house. He was a new guy that hadn't been here before and was very nice. As he was leaving, he, a complete stranger, told me that I was doing a very good thing and repeated it again to me. Somehow I knew exactly what he meant and thanked him and promptly began to cry again. Someone out of the blue noticed and cared.

I feel better now than I have in the last few months. I know that all I needed was to cry. It has always cleared my mind and made me feel again.

Such a simple thing that I know doesn't solve any of my problems, but it somehow makes, me anyway, able to go back and deal with all of the things that need to be done.

Please give credit and post a link to my blog if you intend to use any of the information written here. My blog posts are © Ann M Sinton 2024. All rights reserved.

50 years ago today

 50 years ago today, August 26, 1974,  marks the anniversary of Tom Sinton Sr's enlistment in the United States Air Force and a lifetime of service in the aviation industry.  He enlisted at age 19 at the Pottsville, PA recruiting office. This would have been just at the beginning of the end of the Vietnam War and because of his enlistment date, he is considered to be a Vietnam Era veteran.  His test to see what job in the Air Force he would be best suited for pointed him toward Avionics Maintenance.  He left for Lackland AFB in Texas from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport.  I remember driving to the airport with him and our toddler daughter in our 1969 Chevy Camaro.  Our daughter and I watched his plane depart, yes "into the wild blue yonder"  from the observation deck that many airports in those days still offered.  

Once at Lackland, Tom was assigned to Squadron 3711, Flight 962 for 6 weeks of Basic Training in the hot August Texas sun.  In October of 1974, Tom found himself assigned to 3370 Student Squadron at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois for his school courses to become an Avionics Instrument Systems Specialist. 

1975

Avionics wiring!!

 Once he finished these courses, his first, and as it turned out his only, assignment was to the 375 CAMS (MAC) at Scott AFB near Belleville, Illinois.  Here, he continued his on the job training in his specialty, working on various aircraft types but mainly the McDonnell Douglas C9A aircraft stationed at Scott AFB as an aeromedical squadron.  He excelled and was recognized for his expertise.  Tom completed his 4 year tour of duty and separated from the Air Force in 1978 but reenlisted in the US Air Force Active Reserve unit based at Scott, the 932CAMS as an Air Reserve Technician.  He continued the same job as he held in the the regular Air Force but as a civilian reservist.  

Scott AFB

1980's Scott AFB

In early 1981, Tom separated from the Air Force Reserves as a TSgt to start a civilian job with the US Army across the Mississippi River in St Louis, Missouri as an Aircraft Equipment Specialist.  This would be a short lived job because Tom was offered an opportunity to become a Field Service Rep with the Douglas Aircraft Co division of McDonnell Douglas Corp.  So in July of 1981,  Tom was on his way to Norfolk, Virginia to begin this new adventure as Field Rep to the US Navy VR-56 squadron that was composed of  3 Douglas C9B aircraft.  At age 26, Tom was one of the youngest field reps in the company.  A compliment to his reputation and expertise.  As a civilian, the one thing he lacked was his A & P  and FCC licenses that were not needed during his military service.  Tom completed classes and passed all testing, even repairing the fabric wing on a vintage aircraft,  and was now in possession of his licenses.  During his early time at Norfolk, Tom also completed his college education and received his Bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's local branch.  About 4  years into this job, the squadron was tasked with converting one of it's aircraft into a VIP transport.  Tom was an integral part in this conversion.  Fondly dubbed "ET" for executive transport, aircraft tail number JU 9119, became the official transport for the Secretary of the Navy and other high ranking Naval personnel. "Join the Navy, see the world"  does not apply only to naval personnel.  In his capacity as Field Service Rep, Tom was assigned to be a part of the flight crew on all overseas trips and was for Navy billeting purposes seen as the equivalent of a Lt Commander.  Tom took many trips in the following 3 years all over the world  and served two SecNavs, John Lehman and James Webb.  

"ET"

As with all government contracts, this one was coming to an end.  In order to provide more stability for his family, Tom elected to look for a job that would not have him moving all over the country.  He found this in a Maintenance Foreman position with, the then, USAir in Pittsburgh, PA in 1988.  In his 27 years with the airline, Tom saw several mergers, a strike by mechanics that put him back on the flightline for s time, a new airport built and a change in his work location from an office in a hangar to a state of the art Operations Center.  He gained experience on some new aircraft types, such as the Boeing 737. When he retired  in 2015, his retirement card read American Airlines.  

One of many training courses

Flightline at Pittsburgh International

Aviation has given Tom a chance to do something that he ended up loving.  Something not afforded to everyone.  Something to be proud of and remembered for by many. 

So Happy 50th Tom and thank you for all of your service and keeping people safe.

Please give credit and post a link to my blog if you intend to use any of the information written here. My blog posts are © Ann M Sinton 2024. All rights reserved.

Week 38- Symbols

 My story is short and I wish I had some photos to go along. My dad was a Math teacher and he created small handmade geometric models for his Geometry classes. He would use ping pong balls and cut index cards to piece together the shapes. He first taught in Jr high, then moved on to High school, and eventually settled into a professorship with Penn State at their branch campus Schuylkill. He also tutored local kids. The models he made were always around and eventually kept in one of his bureau drawers, obviously special to him.

Please give credit and post a link to my blog if you intend to use any of the information written here. My blog posts are © Ann M Sinton 2024. All rights reserved.