Mike’s Mom on the Mountain

2009-04-29 06:25:29.000 – Robin Kay,  Summit Volunteer

Ah, it is the dreaded Tuesday night … perhaps not for everyone here, but for me … it came to soon. Hello, I am Mike’s mom, aka, Robin. This is my second time as a volunteer on the summit and it just keeps on getting better. Two years ago, during my first trip, the weather was lovely (late May) and I had just the best time cooking and baking for the Obs crew. Again this year, the weather has been outstanding and the crew still loves to eat! I find it hard to believe Mike when he tells me he is in the fog most of the time … maybe it’s not the weather he is talking about? Seriously, I feel so very fortunate to be able to spend this time with my son and the people he works and lives with every other week … well … perhaps not totally fortunate to listen to their choice of music and movies sometimes … but that’s just a small portion of the day (I think I like Scrubs now though).

The young men and women who work and live here for half their time are very special. Think about it … 24 hours for 7 straight days … how many people do you know that you would like to spend that kind of time with …. every other week! They take their work seriously (one observer stays up until 5:30 a..m. and then the others get up at 5:30 a.m. to replace him!), they look at/work on computers for hours on end, they don warm clothing to go outside every hour to take the observations … every hour! … regardless of the weather … doing whatever they have to do to be able to take the observation … and … they laugh and joke with each other, help each other, and are polite to one another. It may not sound like much when you are reading this, but as a volunteer and the mother of one of the crew, I am impressed with this group. Imagine living and working with your coworkers in similar circumstances for the same time period. Did I mention no showers or baths this time of year?Yes, I did take a big pot of very warm water outside to wash my hair mid-week. It felt so good! I’ve found I think about the everyday things we/I take for granted when I am up here. I will very much appreciate my first shower on Wednesday evening.

I’m not sure what I want to say about this next topic, or how to say it, or even if perhaps I should say anything … but I feel I want to mention the safe return of the young hiker today. I stood looking out the window at the mountains while he was missing … my thoughts and prayers went out to him and his parents and to the people searching for him. I felt so fortunate to have my son near me and safe. I hugged him more than he liked I’m afraid but he let me … knowing what I was feeling for that young hiker and his family. I tell my sons I love them every time we talk on the phone and when they leave after being with me. I hope they know it’s not just three words … even though they are grown men, they are the most important thing in my life, the best thing that ever happened to me. Having experienced the scare of the missing hiker, it makes me want to remind everyone reading this to not take those they love for granted … and tell them you love them.

On a much lighter note, I’ll end my ramblings telling you about my highlight this week … I stood outside in 96 mph winds. It was wicked-hella!Oh yeah, it did get foggy today…. and I am already anxiously awaiting my chance to return here next year … perhaps in the summer months.

PS … Michael and Sean, I love you.. Mom

Robin Kay,  Summit Volunteer