I had one of the most memorable days I’ve had in a really long time, this past Tuesday. It was the day I was presented with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal. There were three of us being awarded the medal at work. For each of us, it was for our volunteer and charity work in the community and abroad. We were each allowed to bring a guest for the ceremony. I decided to help the office out with their small room issue, and I brought my tiny, space-conserving mother. She arrived at the tax office around 9:45. All of the employees were in the main training room, waiting for the service to start. Since I served in the Army Reserve for eleven years and I am still in the Supplemental Reserve, I was allowed to wear my uniform.Each of us recipients posed in front of one of the two beautiful cakes they had made up. There were tons of other noms as well:
While the six of us plus a few other members of the Recognition Committee were standing around, waiting for the ceremony to start, the head of the committee approached us to speak with Jan. She said “Mrs. Murphy, I just want to tell you how pleasant it is to work with your daughter.” There was a brief pause from everyone in our small group, as we kinda looked around at each other. Then we all burst out laughing – especially Jan! Tee hee! Poor Margaret didn’t even know how to respond. She sure wasn’t expecting that response. She started backing up slowly, still sweetly smiling while we continued to laugh. Jan then said “Well, ok then! If pleasant is the word you want to use!” Man it was funny. A nice little comedic relief to calm our nerves.
The three guests were escorted inside and seated at the table set up for the six of us. The three medal recipients followed them. I was shocked how many employees came to watch. It was quite overwhelming.
I was the first recipient. The Director read the details of my volunteer work, charity/fund-raising and spoke about my time in the Army, being diagnosed with MS and now being a pilot with my own plane.
I then went up to the front and was given the medal, a certificate and bouquet of flowers:
The stories of the other two recipients were wonderful to listen to. Kinda renews your faith in humanity!
One of the employees, who has an amazing voice, sang the national anthem. I saluted throughout and tried not to get chocked up.
Afterward, we went to the smaller room next door, mingled with everyone and had some delicious noms. It was nice to introduce my mother to so many great people I work with. She thought it was rather neat to put faces to the names.
Once the room cleared and everyone headed back to work, Jan and I drove to the airport so I could get a few pics with Vyctor, while still in my uniform:
It was just a tad nippy out!
I would just like to formally apologize to all of the employees who gave me a hug that day, and I whacked them in the head with my massive bun. Seriously, I’m truly sorry. At least it was soft!
What an amazing day. Due to all of the excitement, plus overheating in my uniform while mingling, I was completely wiped out by around 2:00. I ended up having to go home a couple hours early. I think I fell asleep that night with a huge smile on my face.
Here are pics of the certificate and book I received with the medal:
Despite being so weak today, I’m still on cloud 9. I don’t think it has even fully sunken in yet!
Today’s symptoms: Very physically weak today. My mind was ok (well, as ok as it will ever be!) but my body was truly struggling. I did make it until the end though. I’ve been blobbed on the couch ever since. Had quite a few very intense pains in my forearms. They always seem to be worse when I’m weak like this.
Lizzy McFly 