Up in the Air

People who know me well know that there are a few things that I am extremely uncomfortable with:
-condensation rings
-hair in the shower drain
-the usage of the word "y'all,"even though, I know I'm from Texas
-and the worst of all...airports and flying

I recently was able to go on a company trip for a conference. To be deficient in details, it was successful, other than me being very nervous and sweaty palmed the whole time, it went well. And other than the part where I tripped over my feet while walking to introduce myself to two of our biggest clients, things were good. That's life...live it up and laugh it up, because if you can't...well, put in some Kenny G, take a bubble bath and hope it will get better.

To me, airports are one of the most interesting places. Why? Because all walks of life. And then when you sit back and think about where you are...you're in the middle of the journey of the human heart. You are at a common location with everyone else and you all have one goal in common: a destination.

As I sat waiting to board my plane, my eyes began to water (I'm melodramatic, this I know). But my tears were not the result of a sadness but more of a realization: life is not fun travelling alone.

Once I had boarded the plane I was positioned in a window seat, which I actually prefer. However, I could not seem to focus or catch my breath (maybe it was anxiety of the trip ahead of me or the two women to my left who smelled of french fries and were coughing very heavily). I closed my eyes and asked God for grace in that moment of judging everyone around me. I took deep and silent breaths, wiped the pitiful tears from my eyes and looked out the window. As I felt my heart soften and my fears reside, I smiled at the beauty of my God.

As I looked to my right out my window, a precious sight captivated my naive eyes. I was reminded of how small I am in this world. How things do look different from the view above. One thing that always happens when I fly...after of course, the nausea, sweating and extensive prayer...I look out into an infinite sky and:

Sheer memorisation of my God.

I sat silently by my window. I smiled as my eyes once again formed their own little swimming pools and I was filled with more belief. The sky was blanketed with, I do not even believe I can call them clouds. May sound trite but they looked like the pillows where the angels rest their heads. I felt like a 7 year old wanting to name every different shape and object that my eyes captured. At one point I know that I saw Mario and Luigi.

But as I looked upon it all...insignificance rained upon my heart. I became:

Thankful.

So overall, the trip was good (not the one where I was publicly humiliated, but the actual outcome of the D.C. adventure was a business success). And of course there was one more thing.

I never had good luck in airports. That part I forgot to mention. Travelling there, everything seemed fine. On my way back in the Dulles airport---I was pulled aside after they said, "Excuse me, Ma'am, is this your red purse?" "Excuse me, Ma'am is this your pink backpack?" (What? I'm a colorful traveller, sorry.) After searching through my bags, two pocket knives later, they let me go...(so sue me, I forgot I had them.) I blame it on my father, a man who always believes you need to have a pocket knife with you. But after the loss of my weapons, I travelled a little lighter. But I made it home safely.

With that said: wear solid and sturdy shoes, always ask for a window seat and do not try and attempt to carry on pocket knives.

Build the castles.
-S