I’ve been wanting to write and reflect on how grateful I am
but felt like no matter how I wrote it, the end result would be a humble
brag. So let me start this exposé by
saying I am grateful to have so much to humbly brag about and I am also
grateful to have those around me who remind me that my reality is not typical
and worthy of extra thanks and recognition.
This series was written while “stranded” in an airport. I had woken up at ridiculous o’clock in the
morning, had a lovely conversation with a gentleman on the bus who was dreading
the coming day and his 16 hour shift.
Flew through security to arrive barely on time to receive a text from
the airline informing me that my flight – which was scheduled to board in 5
minutes – was unceremoniously cancelled without explanation. I spent the next 2 hours on the phone and
in-line being sent always to the next customer service representative because
whoever I was currently speaking with had some kind of “view only” software capability
and hadn’t actually been trusted to serve customers.
Finally, at the end of the two hours, I resigned myself to
my fated airport limbo, despite the fact that I knew I could rent a car and
drive to my destination arriving two hours before my newly scheduled departure
time.
Expecting a short flight without connections, I was woefully
unprepared to spend 8 hours in the airport waiting for my next departure. Frustrated with my predicament, I went in
search of entertainment. I needed a new
notebook anyway so I decided to search one out and indulge in writing some of
the backlogged blogposts that have been floating around in my brain. 3 stores later, I was approached by the sales
woman. It was a tiny store and her
question, “Can I help you find something?” had more concern and confusion which
put the emphasis on the fact that she clearly believed I needed help of some
kind, but probably not of the shopping assistance variety.
Knowing that I was clearly in the wrong store, I asked, “Do
you know of anywhere in the terminal where I could buy paper?” [Pause of confusion on both sides.] “… of any
kind, but preferably of the notebook variety.”
Her face lit up! “We have TWO
notebooks!” She’d clearly expected that
they would never sell.
Exhibit A and evidence that I chose wisely (hint:
check out the name of this Blogovel)
I brought the notebook to the cashier and handed him a 20
dollar bill. The cashier’s eyes shot
from my hand to the credit card machine, back to the cash in my hand. Eventually something clicked and he took the
money laughing at my excessively analogue interaction.
Walking out of the store I was struck by the
triviality of my frustrations. Yes. My trip was off-schedule and would take
longer than expected. Yes. The delay cut into time with family. Yes, this delay would also cost money for
entertainment and food costs in the crazy economy that is an American airport.
All-in-all though, I was stepping onto a
modern marvel which would transport me hundreds of miles in a matter of
minutes. I had a plethora of things that
have caloric value and resemble food at my disposal, safe drinking water, and
the means to purchase additional supplies as needed. Top all of this off with literacy, time, and
space to write and the ability to interact in this environment as an
unaccompanied woman, with relative safety and I had reasons to be
grateful. So there you have it. This begins my series on gratitude. As I start yet another transition and
accumulate stories for future posts, I will leave you with some gratitude to
keep you thinking and reflecting. Thank
you for being part of my community of readers, writers, and observers.
*Epilogue*
In the
days that followed the writing of this blog post, I was subject to 4 flight
cancelations, spent over 48 hours stranded in various airports and only about 8
hours flying. When Murphy’s Law takes
hold, find something to hold onto … apparently my something is airport security
screened.