On the highs and lows of life: a bird’s eye photo shoot, and goodbye to a friend

By Rhonda Westfall

Highs and lows in life – you just never know when they’re going to hit.

August 3 was one of those days.

It’s probably best to begin at the end of the day where an unexpected opportunity – actually, a dare – popped up. Did I want to climb up the steps of the St. Johns Fire Department’s big ladder truck and take pictures of National Night Out activities in the parking lot of St. Johns Lutheran Church?

That was a definite high, both literally and figuratively.

I’m not sure if Fire Chief Dick Cornwell thought I’d take him up on the offer, but it didn’t take too much prompting to buckle on the safety belt – with the big, sturdy hook that attaches to the sides of the ladder – and begin climbing.

The fact that firefighter Jody Snater said he would be close behind me all the way up the long flight of steps certainly made the decision to accept the "dare" a bit easier. There’s nothing like moral support – or the security of knowing someone is behind you who really does know what they’re doing.

I admit, I did chicken out a bit – the ladder was not extended to its full 80 foot height – but it provided enough altitude to get a good bird’s eye view of the fun activities going on below.

Lots of young skaters were streaking across the parking lot, trying their best to bring home a championship trophy for their teams in the season-ending games of the St. Johns City Rollerhockey Tournament. The championship games of the summer league that is coordinated by City Recreation Director Bill Schafer have become a highlight of NNO activities – it was fun to watch the action unfold from a unique vantage point.

As in years past, members of the St. Johns Rotary Club and St. Johns Kiwanis Club volunteered their time and talents to grill up some good food and help staff the children’s games that were enjoyed by the many area residents who attended the NNO event. Of course, some of the hot dogs were consumed by the volunteers – that’s okay, John, we know you were hungry from all that hard work.

My thanks to Chief Cornwell for extending the invitation to climb on the big ladder truck – Old Glory looks mighty fine waving in the breeze.

* * *

The start of the day was a definite low. Although it may not be proper to place myself into the framework of an event that is a truly personal, family experience, I’ll take the liberty here of mourning Major, a canine friend, because I know from my own experience that this unique brand of sadness is actually quite universal.

Any pet owner, anywhere, who has been forced to make the difficult decision of saying good-bye to a faithful companion will understand and emphasize – and, I know there are many such individuals.

Major, a handsome black lab with a tail that never stopped wagging, was just short of his 13^th birthday – quite an accomplishment in and of itself. Although I didn’t know him for a great length of time, he was, without a doubt, the happiest ‘guy’ I’ve ever seen. Despite the fact that his legs ached, he had more than a little trouble breathing – and his owner had a tendency to be less than prompt when dinner time rolled around – Major never, ever complained.

He was always ready to give a big, slurpy kiss and welcome whoever happened to come within petting distance. Treats of any sort were readily accepted – but not necessary to earn Major’s love. He just liked being around people.

For Wayne, Matthew and Jessica, that may be a good way to remember and pay tribute to a devoted friend who exemplified unconditional love.

Be generous with your feelings; unencumbered by care and concern; patient and faithful; always ready to give love, and receive it gladly.

Not a bad way to live life.