I’m writing today from my brother’s home in Sacramento. His daughter’s birthday is today, and her daughter’s birthday party is tomorrow. We live 3000 miles away but want the children to know us and celebrate with them. More and more, I realize the importance of acknowledging connection and sharing love. Appreciating time together and sharing joy and love is precious. It is a great gift. It was a spontaneous decision to come for this celebration and we weren’t sure we’d get there. Travel has been hazardous and blizzards were moving throughout the country canceling flights and closing airports.
We debated, should we or should we not go. We planned only a long weekend and didn’t have the luxury of rescheduling for a later date. The decision to come was made on a beautiful day in Worcester and spring-like weather in Sacramento. I am all too familiar with impermanence — we are born, we die, and a lot happens in between, not only to us but to the world around us. My mother used to say, “Man plans and God laughs.” I say, expect the unexpected, and …who knows what will be…there is much to discover.
Thursday afternoon when the plane was slated to leave it was sleeting and the roads to Logan airport were icy but the airport was open and the flight hadn’t been canceled. We checked weather reports for later in the day, decided it was worth a try, told the dog sitter we were going and left for the airport. Our flight was supposed to leave on time but, who knew, would it leave or not, and if so when. With a credit card that gave airline lounge access handy and a lot of reading material, we notified my brother and family that we were going for it. When we arrived at the airport the parking lot was full but the attendants asked when we’d be back, gave us a placard to put on the car, and directed us to a spot reserved for overflow. Almost immediately, a second car came and parked behind us, blocking our exit. With assurances from the attendant that the cars blocking us would be gone by evening and hoping for the best we took out our suitcase, rolled it through the airport, through security, and to the Delta Club lounge. The club was crowded but we found a spot, had lunch there and boarded the plane on time. Whew. Then we waited…and waited. The plane was de-iced, then went towards the runway and stopped. The pilot then announced we had used too much fuel waiting to take off so we had to go back to the gate to refuel and get de-iced again. With apologies from the captain three hours later the plane took off. Who knows? Would we land safely? Would we make our connection or miss it? The plane was slated to arrive about 10 minutes after our connecting flight was slated to leave. David and I began looking at other options but then settled in. I watched two movies. The stewards brought snacks and gave instructions for those of us who would miss connections but also suggested that our connecting flight might be delayed too. We wouldn’t know for sure until we landed.
We landed safely, de-planed, and discovered that our connecting flight was still on the ground. We walked to its gate, found a lounge nearby, settled in, and again waited. I read more and looked at the flight board to see if there were any changes in the schedule. I called my brother to update him and tell him that we were slated to arrive in Sacramento after midnight and he didn’t have to pick us up as we could take an Uber. “No,” he said, just text us when you get here.
Two and a half hours later the flight left. We landed safely and I texted my brother and his wife we had arrived. It was sleeting and hail had fallen during the day in Sacramento but they had followed the flight on their app and were waiting for us by the curb outside the airport. With gratitude and relief, we entered their car. My brother said that he hadn’t been up past midnight in years. My sister-in-law asked if I had worried. I was almost too tired to answer but I replied, “No. I just got through it”. Don’t know mind: No problem. How wonderful we are safe and here.
When we meet this Thursday, March 2nd let’s examine Don’t Know Mind.