​                                                             Labor Day Memories Part one.
It was a beautiful Monday morning, it was Labor Day. The sun was already shining bright, with blue skies, and a temperature of around 70, of a 90 degree forecast for the day. I had just opened the coops to let the chickens and ducks out, and was on my back deck having coffee, and eating my breakfast, when I heard the engine sputtering in and out. It sounded very close. At first, I thought it was the kids down the road playing with their mini bikes, but then I remembered they were still on vacation at the Jersey Shore. Suddenly the sputtering stopped and it was quiet. All I heard was the peeping of the baby chicks and ducklings, and the wild birds eating the feed of the ground inside the run. I lifted the mug, and tilted my head back to take the last swig of coffee, when suddenly, right over my head, just missing the rooftop, was a small plane, heading straight towards the stable yard further down back. My head flung wild and I dropped the cup, spilling the last sip all over my face. I stood up in horror and watched the final seconds of it's decent to the ground. If it could clear the tree's, I thought, maybe they could land safely. It seemed the engine had quit, and the pilot was guiding the gliding craft, the best he could. I grabbed my phone and bolted down the stairs. I watched the small plane as I ran. With the trees now in the way, I could not see them. All I heard was the cracking of tree branches, and the screams of what sounded like a young girl. I continued to run, my heart pounding with fear.
When I reached the lower part of the yard, near the stable, I saw the plane in the middle of the fenced in oval paddock. The pilot had somehow managed to land the plane safely, even after taking down an old dead tree. He was climbing out when I entered, and finally reached the tiny plane. It was a very small homemade single engine ultra lite. Are you ok, I asked in a panic, still breathing heavy from the run? I am he said. And how about the girl? I heard her screaming. There is no girl, or anyone else with me said the man. My plane only has room for one, and that one, he said smiling, is me. I looked over in the direction of the barn. The two girls who's dad board's their horse in the stable, were there cleaning out the stall. They were walking through the field heading our way. Was it you I heard screaming I asked. Yes said the younger one. I thought he was going to hit the stable and all the horses are still inside. We just arrived to feed and clean and let them out. I am sorry I scared you she said. Oh that is perfectly fine I said, this man scared us all. After talking for a minute or two, the girls went back to do their chores. I turned my attention again toward the pilot and his plane.
My name is Mike I said, I'm glad you are ok. Yes me too he said, my name is Milan. I heard your engine die I told him, What happened? It's a long story said Milan. It was my own fault. I hadn't planned on having such a strong headwind, when I calculated the amount of gas it would take to reach the airport. I guess I came up a bit short. Well, I said, if you were trying to reach the Sussex Airport, you came very close. It is about five miles further as the crow flies. Yes I saw it on the map he replied. I thought I was gonna have to put her down in the river back there, and then I spotted this farm. Well ya did great I said. We looked under the plane and there was just one broken part where he had caught on the top of the tree. Thank god that tree was so dead or you may have been as well I told him. Yes, I believe you may be right about that, Milan replied. I need to fix my plane and refuel. I have to get back home before dark he added. Well I have some tools up at my house I told him, and the gas station is only a couple miles away. I have plenty of containers we can get filled. Your help is much appreciated he said. We headed up the hill to the house. 
We loaded the containers into my pickup and off to get gas we went. I asked Milan why he needed to go back so quickly, and why the trip in the first place? He gazed out the truck window for a second, and then began to speak. The reason for the trip he said, has been a life long dream. I grew up on my grandfathers farm in Czechoslovakia until I was ten. My grandpa always wanted to fly in a plane but never got the chance. When he died, I promised him I would build him his own plane. About a year after his death, my parents sold the farm and we moved to America, where my dad started a farm of his own. My parents are both dead now too, and I am the sole owner. Where is your farm I asked him. It is just outside of Prattsburg NY. It is one of the largest farms in the area. I have many workers and the local economy depends on us. I looked at Milan. He wore a dirty white t shirt, grubby old jeans, and a worn out pair of work boots. I don't know why, but I was thinking he was embellishing just a bit. Anyway said Milan, I have been building this plane in my barn for the last ten years. I made a promise to my grandfather and I was not going to break that promise. So here I am, he laughed. That is a very interesting, and touching story I told him. But now, how will you make it back with the same amount of gas I asked. Faith my boy, faith. I will have a tailwind going back and should have more fuel than I need. 
We pulled in to the barnyard, and over to the plane. Milan grabbed my tools and fell down to the ground and under the craft near the wheel mounts. Within minutes, he popped his head up with a big grin on his face and said, all fixed. We filled the fuel tank to the top and still had a small jug left. Would you like to take it just in case I asked him? No thank you Mike, said Milan. I am sure that I will be just fine. You were five miles short of your destination I persisted. I wanted him to take the extra fuel just in case. He refused. We hooked the ultra lite to the hitch on my pickup, and I towed him to the very end of the field. Is this going to be enough for liftoff I asked him? It will do just fine Mike, relax. Alright I said. I admired his confidence. He had a steadfast way about himself. So sure, yet throwing caution to the wind. Kind of like an old sea captain. Before you take off, can I offer you some lunch. I am hungry he replied. Better to fly on a full stomach.
We hopped into the truck and drove up the dirt road back to the house. I made a couple of chicken sandwiches on white bread with a little butter, salt pepper, and mayonnaise. What would you like to drink I asked him? Water would be just fine Mike, he answered. Water it is, I said. We both ate rather fast. I guess when you spend your days constantly working, you learn to save time where you can. We talked a little about my home and gardens. He was curious to know what I did for work, and how I survived. I was truthful with him. I told him of my daily struggle just to keep afloat. I talked a lot about my garden and my chickens and ducks. Is this sandwich from your flock he asked? Not this one I said, but when things are tight, I do indulge occasionally. Mostly I use them for eggs, and for company I told him. And they keep the bug level down. Oh I know he said, I have my own on my farm too. 
We finished eating, walked down the deck stairs, and headed to his plane. When we shook hands, he grabbed me and said, family hugs, and hugged me like I was his brother. I hugged him back. Milan climbed into the pilots seat, the only seat lol, and started the engine. I stood back and watched as he moved the throttle forward and the small craft began to move. He cleared the treeline by about a foot. He circled once and waved goodbye. I waved back with tears in my eyes. Never had I been so touched by a stranger before. Well I thought, another memory another story to file away in my brain. When he was out of sight, I headed up the hill and into the house. That was five years ago today.
Part two
About three years ago, I was working night's on a job in New York City, when I had a pain in my chest. It was two am, and I was leaving the building and headed for my car, when suddenly it felt as if someone had reached into my chest and grabbed my heart and was squeezing it as hard as they could. I stood in the middle of the street frozen, almost as if I was turning to stone, like in the movies. In a few seconds it stopped. It scared the hell out of me. I had a two hour drive back home to the country, and I was alone. I got to my car, got in and began to drive. I felt better as the pain was gone, but I was beginning to worry I was having a heart attack. I made the long drive home without anymore pain. Just gas, or maybe a cramp I thought. I was glad I didn't waste time at a hospital. I'd still be there and would owe them my soul. It was Friday night, well actually, very early Saturday morning. I went to bed and slept fine. Around eight am I woke from a sound sleep with the pain again. This time it was worse. I looked up and said no, if you are taking me, you do it while I sleep. As the painful cramp, like a charlie horse in my heart, dissipated, I went back to sleep. I slept until two pm. I felt great. I ate last nights dinner for my breakfast, and went out to tend the gardens and the animals. The pain was gone. I made it through the rest of Saturday and Sunday and no more cramping. I was relieved. 
Monday night I headed out to work, again in the City, just off Time Square. I started at six pm, and worked until two am, just as I had the previous week. Around eleven thirty, I began to feel a little shaky. I had the jitters. I was alone on the eleventh floor. Small little pains began striking me in the chest. I opted to leave and go home. When I got outside and near the car, the squeezing got really bad. It was the worst yet. I breathed like a pregnant woman giving birth, and once again it passed. I got in the car and drove home. I went to bed feeling no pain, but I was scared. I slept through the night and woke up at nine am. I still had no pain but decided to shower and dress for work, and go to the emergency room. If nothing was wrong, I could leave for work right from the hospital. I entered the Er.
Newton Memorial Hospital. I told the on duty nurse I thought I was having a series of small heart attacks. I explained them as I did here in the story. She immediately put me in a small room and gave me an aspirin. She hooked up an Iv, and the Ekg monitor. The Doctor, an old white haired grumpy guy, asked me what was going on. I explained to him in detail everything that was happening. He ordered a few test and kept me there about four hours. They did an ultra sound, an Ekg, blood tests, and a chest x-ray. The Doctor, and I use that word lightly, came back into my room and told me I was fine. He checked all the results and could find nothing wrong with me, and I could go home. I said ok and began to put my work boots back on, when I thought, am I stupid? There is something definitely wrong in my heart. I looked up and he was still in front of the room. Hey Doc, I said, I'm not leaving, there is something wrong with my heart. He got all nasty and said that the only thing they could do was admit me and monitor me over night. Well I said, you're going to have to do that because I am not leaving. 
A short while later a woman administrator came into my room and again came the words, what's going on. Again I explained my symptoms in detail. She then told me, that if I was not admitted, there would only be, a one hundred dollar charge. I told her I didn't care about the damn charges, I was in trouble. After a short heated exchange of words, she said she would send in a cardiologist to see me and see what he thinks. Fine I said, I can live with that. Literally! 
A short time later a young black Doctor named David James came in. He was well spoken and very meek. He asked me those very same words again now for the fourth time. "What's going on Mr Wright"? I again explained in detail what had happened each day since Friday. He looked at me stunned. They were going to send you home? From what you have explained to me he said, you are a textbook case of blocked arteries. Dr. James had me immediately admitted. He scheduled another ultrasound that he himself administered. He then said he wanted to do a nuclear stress test in the morning, and an angiogram if need be. I said ok. You are the doctor. Ok Mr. Wright, I will take good care of you. We shook hands and he said, I"ll see you in the morning, seven am. Then he left.
I was in a regular hospital room by about six pm. I called my wife who was now home from work and filled her in on everything. I hadn't told her about the pain as to not worry her. But if I didn't come home tonight, she'd be even more worried. lol They brought me dinner, I ate, and fell asleep. 
I woke up to the sound of her voice and her rubbing my head. I opened my eyes and she kissed me hello. You should have told me she said. I didn't want to worry you I said. Well I'm worried now she said to me. I laughed. I'm ok I said. This Doctor seems like he really knows his stuff. I hope so she said. I asked her to please not worry the kids. Just wait until after all the tests and then we can tell them. The kids were all out on there own and had struggles of their own, trying to survive in this world. Ok she said, I'll wait until the tests are finished. I'm tired I said and want to sleep. Do you want me to stay she asked? No I would feel better if you went home and took care of Sparky and the animals. Alright she said. I'll see you in the morning. If anything happens, please call me. I smiled and said ok, figuring if anything happens, the hospital would be making the call. lol
Seven am on the dot, Dr. James came into my room. He told me he thought a lot about the stress test during the night. If it were to show nothing he said, we would still have to be more invasive, and do an angiogram. I would feel better if we skip the stress test, and go straight to the angiogram. It will give us more definite answers, and be less stress on you and your heart. You are the Doctor, I said. What ever you think is best. I will set it up now. If it shows any significant blockages, we will send you to Morristown Medical for the surgery. Let's get this over with I said. I called Janet, my wife, and filled her in. I'm on my way she said. I'll be there in forty minutes. I love you. I love you to I said and hung up. I trusted this kid, my Doctor. He reminded me of my son in law Ken. He is confident and very mild mannered. No sooner than he walked out of the room, the nurses came in with the mobile bed. Up stairs we went.
I was awake during the procedure. He talked to me the entire time.. I could feel the camera moving through me. After a few minutes of it roaming through my veins, he reached the heart. Oh boy, I heard him mutter. Not good news, I said questioning him? You have three major blockages on the left side of your heart he said. We need to send you to Morristown. Ok I said. Just make sure my wife knows. She is already here and in the waiting room, he said. I will tell her the results as soon as I leave you. When he was finished searching through my heart, the good Dr. gently pulled the camera out of my arm. My associate, Dr. Godkar, will be doing your surgery he said, he is one of the best. I was moved to a recovery room for about ten minutes in which time I saw my wife. They are going to put three stents in my heart I told her. I know she said. Don't worry, it's all gonna be ok. I'm fine I said, either way I'll be good. It's you and the kids I worry about. Your ride is here Mr. Wright, said the nurse. Janet kissed me and left for the other hospital.
The Emt's moved me onto yet another stretcher and out the door we went. Through the halls and down the elevator, and out the main doors to the ambulance. After locking my stretcher in place, the engine started I was rushed from this hospital to the next. I was brought right in and saw my wife, daughter and grandson for just a minute as they rushed me right into surgery. Again I was drugged, but awake, during the procedure. They went in through my groin area into the femoral arteries, and like the angiogram, slowly found there way up and into the heart where the blockages were. There was no pain. I did however at one point feel like I was leaving. I told Dr. Godkar I felt weak. He responded quickly. I heard him say that I was grey and ashy looking and ordered atropine. I was awake and alert again in seconds. When the surgery was finished, he left the tubes inserted for about twelve hours. One was in case they need to go back in, and the other was a balloon assist pump, to help keep the heart beating good. It hurt a little when they removed them. I recovered in a reasonable amount of time and was home again. I was however, very tired and weak for some time to come. 
Part three.
The gardens got far out of hand, and the place was getting run down fast. When I was able to go back to work, it got very slow and I was laid off. Who needs a sixty year old with a bad heart, when the younger guys are like bulls. I did work here and there but not enough to pay the bills.
I worked more in the gardens and hatched more chicks. With little money, we needed everything we could do to survive. Then I broke my ankle. There was no work, no garden, I couldn't ever care for my birds that well. Things were getting very bleak. The mortgage fell behind five months and foreclosure proceedings had begun. The electric and water bills were also way behind. Somehow though, I managed to keep them on. My ankle took almost six months to heal, and we were financially in dire straights. It was Labor Day once again and I was sitting on the deck looking at the over grown vegetation covering the entire property. The poor chickens hardly got out of the run any more because I couldn't handle the stairs. I thought about Milan. I looked up from my chair into the sky and saw his plane in my mind. He had fulfilled his dream of flying with his grandfather. I had a dream too. I wanted my grand kids to enjoy our little slice of heaven. I wanted them to play with, and tend the chickens and ducks. I wanted them to be able to eat the fruits and berries and vegies we grew right here. I wanted them to know what roots really mean. My dreams would vanish into thin air as our home was retaken by the big banks. I had failed myself. I felt miserable. I tried so hard in life. I guess the old saying is true, nice guys finish last.
It took almost a year for the banks to foreclose. I had the property back up to snuff with fruits and vegies galore. More chickens and ducks than ever before. If I was going down, I was going in style. I was in the garden when I heard the mail truck. I was hoping my social security check was here. It was only six hundred dollars, but that was electric, water, and what food we needed from the markets. I walked limping to the box. As I went through the mail, there was a letter from a Lawyer in NY. Oh great, what now I thought. What more could be put on my plate this late in life. I went in the front door and right out onto the deck to read the bad news. My social security check was not there. The letter began: Mr. Wright, My name is James P. Stoll, Attorney at Law. I am writing you in reference to the estate of Milan Strakeda. He has passed away, and it seems he has left you one fifth of his estate. His entire farm was left to his workers, and his cash assets are to be split among yourself and three others. Two million dollars each. His will mentions you. It is with my sincere thanks for your help in fulfilling my life long dream. I hope this can help you to fulfill yours. Signed, Family Hugs, Milan. 
Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can issue you your inheritance. Happy Labor Day, Sincerely James P. Stoll. 
As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I looked again toward the sky.