Monday I flew all by myself to California for a few days to be with my CA sisters-in-law. Every other year we work pretty hard to make this trip happen. I’m so thankful that I have sisters-in-law who are my friends.
Matt and the boys dropped me off early so that I’d have plenty of time before my first flight. I had two hours to wait…but no problem…I had books to read and no boys to chase. Then the flight got delayed. And then it was delayed some more. And then I realized that I’d miss my connecting flight in Dallas.
By the time I finally got to Dallas and rescheduled my continuing flight to CA, I was super bummed to know that I’d have to be at the airport waiting for FIVE hours since there was simply no other flight that could get me there. Sigh. I mean…we had plans to go to Cheesecake Factory that night. I spent quite a bit of time feeling sorry for myself and missing my boys and husband.
Oh…and I was freezing cold in the airport.
I decided that I could not possibly be freezing and miserable for five hours, so I set out to look in the airport shops for a sweatshirt. I didn’t really care what it said and I almost didn’t care how much it cost because I was THAT cold.
I quickly changed my mind about the “I don’t care what it says” idea when the one and only sweatshirt I could find in the entire DFW airport said, “Texas Brewing Co.” And then it had this handy little pocket pouch in the front to keep your beer bottle in (no I’m not kidding) with a little insert that said, “Keep your hands free…and your beer cold!”
Okay…maybe not.
I finally found a simple long sleeved t-shirt that said TEXAS across the front…for only $10…and snatched it up. If only I could find some long johns and wool socks, then I’d be set.
Once I got my long sleeved shirt on, I set off to figure out how I was going to kill the other 4 1/2 hours of my lay-over. I thought about getting my shoes shined…but no…I was wearing flip flops. I thought about sitting down for a nice meal…but didn’t want to spend my entire CA budget on one burger.
I had no cell phone and I hadn’t brought my lap-top (was kicking myself over that one). Funny how you can be surrounded by thousands of people for hours, yet feel very lonely. It made me wonder who else in the airport was feeling lonely.
I started “people watching”. I saw someone with her zipper down. I saw people wearing some very interesting clothes. I saw people wearing hardly any clothes. I thought at one point that I saw my cousin. But no…it was someone else’s cousin.
Hmmm. I got out my journal and a Bible study book and enjoyed that for quite a while. I was feeling much more refreshed and less sorry for myself after that.
Then came the highlight of my day.
I met a couple (who had grandchildren my age) who had been delayed all day like I had been. We were waiting for the same flight (which, by the way, was by then delayed yet another hour and a half). I can’t tell you how this sweet couple refreshed my spirit. They were believers. They were frustrated by the delays like I was, yet trying to be patient. They were on the way to his brother’s funeral. They got me through the last few hours with cheerful conversation and talk about our families. We laughed. We shared. We made the most of our bad situation.
I knew I would be okay when at one point the grandmother lady (why didn’t I even ask her name?) started singing, “This is the day the Lord has made…”
Seems I found a sister before I was able to make it to CA to meet my sisters.
Isn’t God good?
What a great tale – thanks for sharing it.
Oh what a sweet story. How wonderful that God brought that lovely couple to you while you were going through an obstacle.
so sorry about the delay, at least it wasn’t with the kids! I am glad you found a kindred spirit!!
How wonderful Laura. I am sure you were a blessing to them as well!
Julie
What a wonderful God filled day. Glad you are back!
That’s a cool story! I’m glad you found a sweater and some new friends! I’ve been ‘stalking’ your blog for a few weeks (I’m not sure where I found the link), and I really like it! Thanks for posting!
Lovely post…it actually made me tear up a little reminding me of the joy I should be feeling at this time of my life – yet instead I have been feeling kind of sad. Thank you for the reminder…though be sure I know Who prepared it for me. :)
Thank you for sharing that story. It is amazing how God puts just the people we need in our paths at just the right time.
Sure did enjoy our time together even though we lost half a day to the delays. What a blessing to have family that is wonderful to be with! Miss you already. Thought of something I wanted to ask not long after Lori and I pulled away from the airport. Guess I’ll have to call sometime!
Looks like we’ll have Jack and Gail over tomorrow night with Betty and Joyce for dinner. Not sure what I’m making. Betty bought today at brunch, which was so nice.
Breakfast tomorrow with Stocktons. Probably church with Grandma (great) Coppinger at her little church, Woodley or Woodlake, whatever its called. Then home after lunch.
Love you!
Oh, it sounds like you all are having so much fun (without me…). :) I’m glad you’ll have a chance to be with Jack and Gail. And see Grandma.
Kisses all around!
Oh yes, God is SO good! : ) I’m sure you were both a blessing to one another….and NOT by accident. I’m touched by the fact that there was a song in her heart even on the way to what we normally consider a very sad event. (although not as sad as in the case of an unbeliever)
Thanks for sharing your story!
You have a wonderful way of telling a story! I love the idea of sisters and sister in laws getting together! I have a few!
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I’m thinking that you must have made it fine and had a wonderful time.
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GIGATTAATTGIG!
Thank you for sharing your precious story. My 20 year old daughter is quite the accomplished traveler and has even had to use her suitcase as a pillow in Anchorage, Alaska and sleep on the floor all night long! She has met some very sweet people in airports. I pray that if any of my kids ever get delayed flights or long layovers they will have divine encounters like yours.
That’s a great story :)
Next time you get delayed at DFW, I recommend taking their sky tram thing around the airport a few times… If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even practice trying to make the entire loop standing up w/o holding onto a pole… Oh, and Terminal D is pretty nice – you can kill some time there.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story Laura!!And yes God is good!