At almost 3 a.m. this morning I finally stumbled into my home and fell into bed.
Leaving Florida behind, I found myself in the air sitting next to the crossword quenn flying through puzzles as quickly as candy disappears around staff members. I asked her if she did them often and she laughed, confirming that it is one of favorite ways to relax. I found out she loves them so much because she is a writer. Go figure. We then spent the rest of the flight discussing Haiti and its people – their pain, their joy, their giving spirit, their problems, etc.
Touching down in Atlanta in concourse C, I was directed to concourse D for my last flight. Locating Starbucks and informing my barista Stephanie that she was about to be my hero for the day, I acquired a tall white mocha and made the lengthy trek down to D1, the last gate on the concourse. 40 minutes before the flight we were told there was a gate change and we all headed toward C15 with a groan. Arriving they informed us it wasn’t just a gate change but a flight delay and to expect departure at 11:30 p.m. With little sleep and a readiness to see home I was quickly losing my nice, patient demeanor and wanted to be like the kid across the aisle from me kicking and crying.
As I sat one gate down from my departure gate a little Vietnamese lady named Tin approached me gesturing toward the gate and her boarding pass. I looked it over and gave her the sign that she was indeed in the correct place. She then handed me a slip of paper that read, “Please help me find my gate. I do not speak any English. Thanks.” I smiled and reassured her again that she was where she needed to be. After walking away for a few minutes she returned, smiled at me and sat down to my left. Through sign language I helped her see which number on the boarding pass was her seat and so I stayed with her until she boarded her flight. She was quite precious and I like to think that maybe my flight was delayed to help give her some comfort and smiles as she waited, since it was obvious she was nervous.
About 40 minutes from our second departure time, another gate change was announced and the passengers of flight 96 were more than a little annoyed as we picked up and moved yet again. Finally we boarded and were en route home.
In Raleigh I was met by my parents with Chick-filo-a (which I was too tired to eat), homemade sweet tea and a backseat with a pillow and blanket. Praise God for my parents.
All that to say it was another eventful travel day and I am now heading back to bed.
