Saturday was my first night back at work after 48 days of vacation. I didn't want to tell you so early what I do for a living because I wanted it to be some sort of revealing surprise. However now I know you are wondering "Wow what does she do to be off for 48 days on vacation? " And just so you know, I'm pushing hard trying to make those 48 days turn into 60 days next year.
Yes it may seem like a long time off, but superheros need time off to rejuvenate and build themselves back up. When you're a superhero you easily get drained and lose power. I don't wear a traditional cape. My "cape" I wear on my head while my body adorns dark blue pants and shirt with a proud patch I wear on the left shoulder. The motto I stand by is "The mission starts here"
When I started this job over 13 years ago, when people would ask what I did for a living I would simply say "oh I just answer phones." As time went on I think a reality hit me that my job was not "just answering phones" and instead I would stand with pride and say "I am a lifesaver!" It took another few years to realize and agree, I'm more than a lifesaver, I'm a superhero. When you get into a routine it just seems like the normal thing to do. Routines often let you lose sight of things like taking care of yourself in many ways. Once you acknowledge your superhero status you fight to save everyone unknowingly. You just find yourself always helping whether you're asked or not. When your family and friends show need you just show up and help. A superhero never expects the same in return, they just save the people.
Before I became fortunate enough to be paid to do this awesome job, I have always been put in situations to be trained to wear my head piece of power. At a young age I have seen and heard things many adults have yet to deal with. However instead of being bitter about it I think of it as the training I needed for my life now. All of it was just to prepare me to be a superhero.
Day one post vacay... Operator 43, what is your emergency?
"Oh my God! I'm like next to the gas station and I smell gas! Lots of it!"
"I'm sorry ma'am did you say you're at the gas station and you smell gas?
"Yes! hurry and get someone here now!"
"Ma'am are you smelling natural gas?"
"No! Like the gas you put in your car"
*sigh*
And if you're actually wondering...yes there was a smell of gas at the gas station, it was ummm welllll yeah, gasoline. Yes at the gas station.
No special superhero headpiece needed tonight.
Next caller please.
"Only Barb"...that is always said with such affection, and laughter. Many who know me have said those two words more than once in life. From the days of childhood to my current adulthood, I find myself in situations sometimes sticky and precarious or heartfelt and funny. But many times the circumstance warrants "only Barb" as the only sensible answer.
As anyone grows up they eventually "find" themselves. The idea of finding yourself can be interpreted in many ways. It can be completing a challenge from a bucket list, figuring out your calling or walking away from something you did not realize that was making you miserable.
Now after living all these years I am for certain about two things. I have a desire to help, and I am a great storyteller. The desire to help people, I figured that out all myself at a young age, but the storytelling part it took some time and convincing. I tell a story almost everyday of my life. Most sit on the edge of their seat waiting for the climax and ending. Some will try to scurry me through it. But no matter how urgently they are waiting for the climax and end, it won't happen, I keep telling the story with the same enthusiasm and detail as I told it that same day to someone else.
After continuously hearing "wow Barb tell me another story" I actually started to think I had a gift for storytelling. It wasn't until one day my bestie's boyfriend said "Barb your stories are sometimes unbelievable but I have to believe your stories because there is no way you can make them up."It was at that point I started to think about the quirky situations I would find myself in and how they easily entertained others. It still took some convincing for me to think I had a gift with the delivery of all of this but I knew people would always ask for more but it was still puzzling to me as how they would enjoy my life. These are the stories of my life. I'm not making up these stories, I just live it and share it.
When I finally gained courage and self belief I picked up my laptop and wrote a book about my life. Let me let you know now, my life story will take you from sunny days to dreary, dark, cold and thunderous storms at times. But for now, there will not be any roller coasters of emotions. Right now I want to introduce you to my bright, funny and quirky stories. I'm looking forward to you saying "Only Barb"
