...that moment when you realize that there is something greater than you could ever wrap your head around, happening to you...
...that slice of time in which the world stops spinning at record speeds and you are able to pay witness to some of life's greatest treasures, by utter chance rather than intention...
...that gasp of air that fills your lungs so full of fresh air, it makes you pause and wonder how you got by without a breath so big...
...that hug of warmth in which there is no doubt, the administrator of the hug, is God himself.
That is the summary of my last 24 hours; I am presently sitting on the hard floor of an airport that I had no intention of passing through and wondering how I have managed to be so lucky.
In a mere 24 hours, I was privy to a private mass (sorry Anglicans... Eucharist) in which the attendees were the priest and myself. During which, I was asked to read the first reading from Nehemiah: "do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" and my heart actually started to warm. Felt like a Grinch moment in which I could literally feel the warmth start in my heart and radiate to the very corner of my being. A message from God to me... 'do not stress, panic, live in the past... for I am with you, and I am enough joy to override any emotion aside from joy. I am here, not going anywhere, and holding your hand - you shall not fall. I will be your strength and joy when you have none.'
Following that, arrived at the local, international airport to find out that the second half of my flight was cancelled; turns out that when the Eastern seaboard gets a bit of white, the flight gets cancelled.
There were so many reactions that I could have had... so many responses I could have uttered. Instead, I began chatting with the attendant about New York and what she might recommend as a tourist attraction in the great city while she worked to ensure I could get to New York for Monday morning's session. After much deliberation, my boarding passes had me flying from home, to the very edge of the Western coast (State's side) before boarding a plane that would then fly me allllll the way to the other corner of the country in the wee hours of the morning.
I ended up in row four (second row of economy) beside the window. Clocked my head pretty good on the counsel, making my seat buddy laugh and my tea to spill all over her seat. Quickly wiped it up, apologized profusely, and proceeded to sit in my seat with my seatbelt fastened. To my surprise, when flying into San Fran, we flew right over the classic, Golden Gate bridge; the bridge that was integral to my childhood as it was a staple on the television series, "Full House" - something I watched every afternoon for 13 years with my sisters as our break before we started homework. And I kid you not, the plane actually seemed to be flying in slow motion over the bridge; it was as if God himself was saying, "see? Detours can be rewarding if you stay awake" (metaphorically and literally).
I then had a short layover in San Fran before boarding a lengthy flight to Newark; ended up in the very last row, kitty corner to the bathroom. Had the man in front of me leaning his seat back the whole 5.5 hour flight without the ability to lean my chair back, and people pushing themselves into my bubble.
Instead of freaking out, or digging my gangly long legs into the dork's seat, I curled up in the seat (there was a spare/empty one between me and the window buddy this time) and read the book for this program from start to finish (well, almost start to finish). Ultimately confirming for me that I am not the only one dealing with this, the people I am going to see know what they are doing, and I am in for a life that is more fantastic than I could ever image or hope for if I stick out for the cure!
Upon sitting in the (almost) vacated airport waiting for the decent hour to arrive when I could take the train to another train to a taxi/bus to the program... I met not only one, but two incredible people. Heard their live stories (apparently I have a "tell me" face?) and managed to connect with them on a level that I would have ran away from previously.
And now... now I am counting down the minutes until I can go to the bathroom, do my hair, change and head to the first of a series of transits to get me to Plainview, NY.
Events that require open humility... that said, I think I am going to pack this show up and tour the airport a little bit before I change, brush my teeth, and text home to let the peeps know that I am about to head out on the second half of the trip.
I challenge you today... I challenge you to find those relationships... those moments... those things in your life that could be a toss up between a horrible mess or heaping servings of grace on your plate of life. I promise that you won't regret it. It is such an incredibly light and wonderful feeling.
Peace!
YS
