You know, if you have been following my recent post, that I am literally counting down the hours
until hubby and I leave our summer work place
here in the Yukon.
But this morning I had to say an early farewell to our employers and friends, Helen and Ollie. I really
can't begin to tell you how good this couple has been to us. But I will try.....
Aug 31st sunrise-6:30 AM
In April after driving all the way out here to the Yukon for a management job with a certain business, we both discovered it was definitely not the job for us! So what to do? Do we turn around and drive all the way back home? This was tempting I have to tell you, when I thought of all the projects we could get accomplished on our home
this summer. But on a whim I told my husband maybe we should give Ollie a call to see if he would need any help this summer. We had worked for Helen and Ollie another summer three years ago. When Tim called, Ollie being his typical self, said "Sure come on out, we'll find some work for you". And we have been here at the resort since.
Early in August Tim's sister and mother came to visit us at the lodge for four days. I'm sure some of you will remember the photos from that time. When they had gone and it was time to settle the account for their food and lodgings, Helen and Ollie wouldn't except a penny. No, not a red cent! They said it was a reward for all the extras stuff Tim and
I did for them here at the lodge.
This last Wednesday we had forty Airstream campers here for an overnight stay and a private dinner. As you can well imagine we all knocked ourselves with all the preparation this entailed.
Tim and I had both worked the day shift and then came back in that evening to assist with the dinner.
If you've ever been involved in serving 76 people,
you know just how much work this is! When it was all said and done, and we were given praise and thanks from all the campers, Ollie discovered that the group leader had not left a tip for any of us. He
and Helen were so upset. Tim and I assured them not to worry on our account, it was OK.
We went to our room, where I promptly got into the bath tub. When I came out my husband informed me that Helen had come over nearly in tears with sixty dollars each for both Tim and I from her and
Ollie. But that's not all. Later that night the camp
leader came back into the lodge and Helen said, "I
don't usually say anything, but I was so surprised after all the applause and praise that you had given my staff for the meal that they had prepared and served you that you didn't leave them a tip". He, of
course was mortified! He apologized and said he hadn't realized that it wasn't included in the price quoted him for the meal. He grabbed money out of
his pocket and gave it to her and then ran out to get
more. So at seven AM when I arrived on the job, there was Helen shoving another sixty dollars at me. She wouldn't hear of taking it back either when I reminded her that we had already received enough.
Wall mural at Burwash Resort
Three years ago when we were here working at the resort there was an Indian statue dressed in an American flag that I just loved. Well, this year since the resort is for sale I thought Ollie might consider selling it to me. He said he would for the price that
he paid for it-$150.00 I was thrilled! Last night I came over to spend just a few minutes visiting with
Helen, knowing we wouldn't have time this morning once I started working. When I got ready to leave she ask me to wait a minute. She went into their office and came out with a black trash bag. I knew what was inside it-my Indian. Are you crying yet? I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was at this point with such generosity. But, hold on, I'm not
done yet......
sign where hubby was almost eaten by grizzly
This morning when it was time for our goodbyes,
Ollie came into the kitchen and slipped a bill into
my apron. It was $100. I told him, "no"-they had already given us too much. He said he wanted us to use it for gas money to get back home. I showed it to my husband after we were done with our work day and he said that Ollie had stopped up to the gas station to say goodbye to him too and pulled out a twin to my $100. bill.
Now I want you to know that Tim and I have been praying for favor with our employers. We also work our tootsies off. We treat them with respect and have tried to be a sounding board for them when they have had so many frustrations that come with running this type of business. We earned plenty of money this summer and didn't need any of the extra gifts that were given to us. But I not only looked at it as a gift from Ollie and Helen, I believe it was a gift from God. So I am not only thankful to our friends, but I'm tankful to our God.
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If you've stuck with me through this whole story I believe you deserve an award! I know it could have been written better, but it's late and I still have one more early morning before we're off. So it is what it is. And I just had to tell it.
Thanks to all who are praying for a safe trip
home for us. I appreciate it.
Have a nice weekend and I'll be in touch as we travel,
Kimberly
