A Wonderful Life Lived
by Parker Valdez
I am Polly and this is my story. I believe that life is what you make it, and I think that I have made my life one worth living. There had been many noticeable events in my life that I think back on and wonder what I would be doing if these events didn’t happen, but then I realize that these events made me into the woman I am today. But to understand any of this you have know the whole story from the beginning.
I grew up in a small town in northern Vermont called Guildhall. I was not born in a hospital though, I was born in a bed and breakfast in the middle of town. Growing up back in the 1930-40’s was a lot different then growing up now, meaning it was a lot safer than now. I can remember a time when we were able to walk down the street without a care in the world, not having to worry about being kidnapped and never being able to see my family again. Back then was a great time to grow up.
Growing up I had always looked up to my father, to me he was like a real life superhero, or at least my hero. He was always there for me whenever I needed him and he was a great man. He was one of my biggest supporters growing up and he really shaped me into the women I am today. I can remember the times we would go out hunting and fishing together and would make great memories together.
It was bittersweet when I left to go into the Air force, but I felt like it had to happen for me to become more independent. So my first stop on this very eventful trip in the Air Force was boot camp which was in Texas. One thing that I will say about that experience is that I felt very empowered and independent throughout my life in the Air Force. The Air Force was such a great experience, I even met my husband, that would soon give me the two best things in my life, Becky and William.
Soon after we met we got married in California and headed off to the most romantic country, France. A little after we got back to the states I got order to go to Omaha, but I never ended due to the fact that I was pregnant with our first child and eventually would have a second. But like all good things, it came to an end and we got a divorce. After the divorce I decided to take some time for myself and did a little bit of traveling and headed to Canada. After going through a divorce you become more independent, and that’s exactly what I did.
My kids are the best thing that has happened to me, even though they stress me out. Once I got back to the US I settled down in Colorado for a while, but then my mother got sick so I moved back to Guildhall so I could take care of her. I then resettled myself back here where my roots were. Becky did the same and now works as a town office worker in Lancaster. As for William, he joined the military as a green beret medic, and was deployed to Afghanistan. Once when he was deployed I was watching the news when they had announced that a plane had gone down in Afghanistan. I sat there on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear from my William. I sat there praying that he was not on that plane, and thank god he wasn’t. He now travels around to train medics and goes around for the DEA.
Looking back at my life, I will say it has been action packed from the beginning. I thank the lord that it has been a life worth living. Even at the age of 85 I am still traveling with my daughter to Canada. If I had to give someone a life lesson it would be, life is what you make it, so make it good just like I did.