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Hit & Miss

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.
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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?
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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.
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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?

Positively,

Kim

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