Re: The Path Taken – Story of Jannis Canterfield
December 14th, 2013
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin. However we always recommend to keep your seat belt fastened while you’re seated. You may now turn on your electronic devices such as mobile devices, MP3 players, and laptop computers. In a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing around the cabin to offer you hot or cold drinks, as well as a light meal and a snack. Alcoholic drinks are also available at a nominal charge/with our compliments. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Thank you.”
I took a deep breath and did what the attendant said, relaxed. This was my first flight alone . . . It wasn't like I was scared or anything but it felt a little weird not having a single clue of who any of these people around me were. But it sure felt good knowing I was leaving this daily under 10 degree weather and was headed across the country to Panama City where the beaches were probably still packed in the middle of December . . . After the attendant came by and asked what I'd like I took a couple bites from the food and a couple of sips of the sprite then I set it on the on the table and started to doze off. I had an outside seat so there wasn't much else to do.
---Later---
I was awaken as the women who sat in the window seat tapped my shoulder after the plane had apparently landed. I got a little wide eyed as I caught up with my surroundings and saw everyone grabbing their language. I quickly got up and grabbed my bags and awaited as the other passengers exited the plane . . . And waited, until I finally reached the inside of Beaches International Airport. I roamed around until I found dad, sporting his Air Force uniform and holding the sign of our last name. He looked iconic and I couldn't believe he stood right in front of me. It had only been about 3 months but the amounts of new people I had met in that period of time made it feel as if I hadn't seen him in 3 years, not 3 months. I gave him a brief hug but meaningful and we talked as we caught up with each other as we made our way out the airport.
---Later---
Panama City. Known as the national Spring Break hot-spot. This is where I where I could call home for the next three weeks. Much more different than the Utah scenery, skyscrapers complied all throughout the area and beaches made up the perimeter opposed to mountains.
"So you're enjoying the school, huh." Dad asks on the ride back to the house.
"It's better than I thought to be honest," I say as I take looks out the window, eyeing the beach we drive past. "A lot of cool people there and now that the basketball season is here I'm often kept occupied for a good part of the day. So yeah, I'm liking it a lot. Just a little different without you and any family around."
"Yeah man I feel you, man. I just think it was the best thing to do in your situation. But I'm glad your enjoying it over there."
"Yeah, like I said, it's going great." Dad then turns into a neighborhood where I am quickly overwhelmed by the large homes we drive past. "We live around here?"
"Sure do. Planning on sticking around in this city after I retire from the Air Force so I might as well have bought the house I'd feel comfortable living in for years to come. You know?"
"Yeah definitely, I see why you would want to stay around here. I love this place already."
"I bet you do. I'm going to keep you in the gym more than often during this break though so you better enjoy it while you can. You're going to return back to Wasatch and have that damn varsity coach having nightmares about the regrets of cutting you off varsity."
December 14th, 2013
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin. However we always recommend to keep your seat belt fastened while you’re seated. You may now turn on your electronic devices such as mobile devices, MP3 players, and laptop computers. In a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing around the cabin to offer you hot or cold drinks, as well as a light meal and a snack. Alcoholic drinks are also available at a nominal charge/with our compliments. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Thank you.”
I took a deep breath and did what the attendant said, relaxed. This was my first flight alone . . . It wasn't like I was scared or anything but it felt a little weird not having a single clue of who any of these people around me were. But it sure felt good knowing I was leaving this daily under 10 degree weather and was headed across the country to Panama City where the beaches were probably still packed in the middle of December . . . After the attendant came by and asked what I'd like I took a couple bites from the food and a couple of sips of the sprite then I set it on the on the table and started to doze off. I had an outside seat so there wasn't much else to do.
---Later---
I was awaken as the women who sat in the window seat tapped my shoulder after the plane had apparently landed. I got a little wide eyed as I caught up with my surroundings and saw everyone grabbing their language. I quickly got up and grabbed my bags and awaited as the other passengers exited the plane . . . And waited, until I finally reached the inside of Beaches International Airport. I roamed around until I found dad, sporting his Air Force uniform and holding the sign of our last name. He looked iconic and I couldn't believe he stood right in front of me. It had only been about 3 months but the amounts of new people I had met in that period of time made it feel as if I hadn't seen him in 3 years, not 3 months. I gave him a brief hug but meaningful and we talked as we caught up with each other as we made our way out the airport.
---Later---
Panama City. Known as the national Spring Break hot-spot. This is where I where I could call home for the next three weeks. Much more different than the Utah scenery, skyscrapers complied all throughout the area and beaches made up the perimeter opposed to mountains.
"So you're enjoying the school, huh." Dad asks on the ride back to the house.
"It's better than I thought to be honest," I say as I take looks out the window, eyeing the beach we drive past. "A lot of cool people there and now that the basketball season is here I'm often kept occupied for a good part of the day. So yeah, I'm liking it a lot. Just a little different without you and any family around."
"Yeah man I feel you, man. I just think it was the best thing to do in your situation. But I'm glad your enjoying it over there."
"Yeah, like I said, it's going great." Dad then turns into a neighborhood where I am quickly overwhelmed by the large homes we drive past. "We live around here?"
"Sure do. Planning on sticking around in this city after I retire from the Air Force so I might as well have bought the house I'd feel comfortable living in for years to come. You know?"
"Yeah definitely, I see why you would want to stay around here. I love this place already."
"I bet you do. I'm going to keep you in the gym more than often during this break though so you better enjoy it while you can. You're going to return back to Wasatch and have that damn varsity coach having nightmares about the regrets of cutting you off varsity."
Comment