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What can I say? IPMS Nationals
are a real experience. Male or female, you have got to
appreciate the work and effort that goes into putting on one of
those events and participating in one. This is the third
National Convention that Andy and I have gone to.
If you don't feel like a
"plastic model widow" by the time your spouse finally
gets his or her model completed, well when you get to Nationals,
you are on your own. Fortunately, I do enjoy looking at the
models (for about 45 minutes) and I like to look at the vendors
"stuff" (again for about 15 - 20 minutes). Not finding
anything that I want to do, I wander around (by myself) or
follow my husband around (not that he remembers that I am still
here). Andy was so siked up about Nationals; he wasn't even
hungry for two days. (I should be so lucky, that was all I had
to do was eat!)
All kidding aside, going to
plastic model contests, Regionals or Nationals is really fun.
You make friends at different locations and when you see them at
each event, it is like old times. You bring each other up to
date on what has happened, sometimes new engagements, new
babies, separations, illness or recovery. All the things friends
share and there is no time gap, it is just like you saw them the
other day.
As you all are aware, Andy was
seriously injured in 1990 and he started doing plastic models a
few years later. We were reminiscing about going to Greenville,
SC. We bought so many kits we were measuring the trunk and back
seat to make sure we had enough room for the luggage and his
kits. That contest he went in a wheel chair and when they called
his name for a raffle ticket; he got up and walked to the podium
and a guy in the stands said, "It's a miracle, he can
walk". We all laughed but it was quite an emotional moment
for me. I felt so proud for Andy for all he had achieved.
When we went to his first
National Convention in 1996, Andy was still confined to a wheel
chair for assistance in extended ground coverage. When they
showed his truck on that screen and he won third place, it was
again a very emotional moment for both of us. He was in shock as
he has never been able to see what he can and has accomplished.
This time around, I felt just as
proud and excited for Andy as I did the first time he won an
award. Andy has disabilities but he doesn't let that stand in
his way to keep him from entering into these contests. He is an
inspiration to all of us and I congratulate him on all his
effort and accomplishments in the modeling hobby!
Go Andrew! |
