Yesterday was one of those days where all my family did was
hurry up and wait. Instead of being in the moment, I kept projecting to the
time my son and husband would be home from their boys’ trip, only to have to
keep waiting.
They got to the Newark airport in plenty of time, so they
thought, only to have the airport shut down on them due to an apparent security
breach. So they were stuck in the security line for about 4 hours. Nothing or
no one was moving. No airplanes were taking off or landing. Stuck. Waiting.
I called the airlines to see what was going on but they
could not give me any details. So all we could do was sit and wait. My daughter
had to go to her orientation for a dance camp she will be doing for the next 3
weeks. We had plenty of time after to get the last minute things she needed
rather than rushing if my boys were coming home on time. So there was a silver lining
after all.
She wanted to eat but I told her we could not go to a
restaurant because I wanted the four of us to go to a restaurant together –
thinking my boys would be home in time for an early dinner. Elated because my
husband had sent me a text to say they were on the airplane – separated but on the
airplane nonetheless.
And then as I sat on our porch looking out at all the
beautiful light coming through the trees, my phone buzzed and my heart dropped
because I knew it was my husband. And sure enough all of the romance went out
of the moment I was enjoying because my husband’s text read, “Fire Alarm, we
were halfway down the runway when the plane came to a sudden stop. They are
fire trucks on the way.”
My heart nearly stopped then. All I could think about was
the fact that my son and my husband were separated and I prayed that nothing
untoward was happening. That it was just an alarm. I could imagine the angst they
were both feeling – neither likes to fly – but do it because that’s the only
way we get out of Bermuda.
I sat anxiously waiting for an update. My husband saying it
was just a false alarm but they were heading back to the terminal as a
precaution to change airplanes. And back to more hurrying up and waiting.
Thinking of how much I wanted my boys home safely. Us back as a family. Events
like these make me realise just how much I take for granted. Just how much I
expect everything to go like clockwork always. And the shock I feel when it does
not.
They then had to transfer to another part of the airport and
wait for another airplane to come in. Frustration mounting for them. Finally the
plane arrived and they boarded only to be told that the crew had been on for
too long and they might have to get off the airplane so they sat and waited some
more. Then my husband texted me to tell me there was extreme weather
approaching the airport and they had 15 minutes to take off or they would be
stuck. If I didn’t hear from him in 15 minutes then they had made it. Fifteen
minutes came and went; I was relieved when I didn’t hear from them thinking
they were on their way. It was 8.41 Bermuda time. They had been in the airport for
nearly 12 hours. I went to shower only to come back to a flashing light on my cell
phone. My heart dropped. They got so far but not far enough so they had to sit
through the weather.
I gave up thinking they were not going to make it back that
night. But I asked St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Miracles, to help them to get
back safely that night. I went to bed at 11.00. A few minutes later my phone vibrated.
A message from my husband to say they were finally in Bermuda. Relief flooded
through me. I fell asleep and then in they came at 11.57. They made it before
the night was out. They were finally home. A day of hurrying up and waiting for
all of us. But finally we were reunited. Not in the way I expected. My daughter
and I asleep. My husband coming through the combination lock in the bedroom
because I forgot he left his front door keys at home. Frightening me out of my
sleep. But a welcome fright. The waiting was over finally.
A simple routine of flying back home turned into an epic day
of one misfortune after another. But with faith, prayer and a positive outlook
my boys made it home. Telling me that we should never take anything for granted
because it can change in an instant. We always need to tell our loved ones we
love them. We need to go for it and not wait because we can never predict the
future. I had the best intentions of eating with my whole family once we were
reunited but in the end my daughter ending up eating spaghetti out of a can but
she was a trooper. Letting me know we need to stay in the moment at all times
because we have no control over what happens outside of our space.
A happy ending for us despite the mishaps and to the
Universe I am truly grateful..
No comments:
Post a Comment