I had an appointment with Dr Tabakian in St Louis this morning, and when I was on my way home I got a call from my husband, asking me to swing by his office to talk to one of the guys that works there about spinal fusion surgery.  It's highly unusual for him to ask me to go by, so I was taken aback by his request, but I said I'd go there before I went home.

So I went and we talked, and as I was leaving another cop walked in and started talking to Dave about how short manned they are at the Visitor's Center and how he was going to have to move people around in order to cover the schedule there until they can hire someone.  As he was walking out of the office, I caught up with him.

"Excuse me, Sgt T, but I'm already volunteer certified for the base.  Would you be able to let me volunteer down at the VCC? I have a few afternoons and mornings a week I'd be more than happy to give you."

"Really?" he said "If you could do that, that'd be great!  Let me call Sgt C and see if she can use you.."

So he called, and Sgt C said to come on down right there and then.  Off I went....

.....and I stayed down there 3 hours.  She asked me if I could stay and help right there and then, I said yes, and off I went. I got right in the swing of things and worked the front desk writing visitor passes.  I used my security enforcement training and was assertive with people who didn't want to take no for an answer, I used my clerical and computer training for the paperwork and I also used my legal training to answer people's questions and to give reasons for people being denied a visitor pass (you have to have a driver's license, folks!  I can't just take your word for it!!).

I LOVED it.  I had a blast. They gave me a chair to sit on, so my back didn't bother me, and I just dove right in to the melee that is the VCC and started helping. I'm going back tomorrow, and I've told them that I'll be there on a regular basis.  I'm going to start slow so I don't push myself too hard and end up in pain, but if they need me, I'll be there. 

 I've also dropped my resume for the positions that are going to open up there.  I mean, I'm already getting trained....the only difference would be the paycheck. 

As you know, I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason.  If I had not gone to Dave's office today, I wouldn't have overheard Sgt T saying they were short.  I wouldn't have known about the job openings, and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to go volunteer there today.  I wouldn't have been asked to stay and help, and I wouldn't have got the training today.  Things just fell into place today, and right now I don't know why.....

.....but I'm sure in time I'll find out.  I can't wait!