It is Saturday, January 24. I have been scheduled to fly to Ghana. All the prior week, there has been talk of the horrible winter storm that would stretch from my home of Albuquerque, all through the south and south east going up the East Coast including my stepping off point across the Atlantic, Washington, D.C.
I spent numerous days tracking the projected weather for each of the three cities I would be transiting through, Albuquerque, Denver, and Washington. The information was consistent. I should be able to slip through before things got bad anywhere I was headed. The airline was offering to allow me to change my flight. I thought about leaving a day earlier but finally decided that I was content to go with my original plan and whatever would happen would happen.
I woke up the morning of the 24th and no, there was no bad weather event yet in Albuquerque. Just some light rain. My Uber got to the airport in normal time and I checked through without problem. We had a slight delay taking off but I was in Denver with plenty of time for my next flight. It was very cold in Denver but nothing that was delaying flights. We arrived in DC on time.
Then things started to go slightly sideways. Our flight to Accra, Ghana was listed as delayed due to mechanical problems. We were to take off at 6:30pm while the snow was scheduled to start at 11:00pm. By the time, we boarded and were ready to push back, it was now 7:30pm. We push back and now we wait quite awhile. The Captain comes on and says there are a couple more mechanical things showing up. They are going to need to go back to the gate and have mechanics come on board.
This is done and another hour passes. During all this, I decide it is an excellent time to see if my practices related to gratitude were actually going to manifest in this rather stressful time. I can't say I didn't have negative thoughts like, "What if the crew times out and I get trapped in Dulles Airport during the winter storm and can't get out for days," But I didn't obsess on them. I reminded myself of all the great things I've experienced by being willing travel.
The mechanical issue is resolved. But evidently a passenger decided to get off the plane. They need to find the person's bag which requires unloading most of the baggage containers then reloading and re-balancing them. It is another hour before this is achieved. But we do get out before any of the bad weather hits.
As we are taking off, to my surprise the Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel manifests before me.
"What the hell de-I! This was an opportunity for an epic battle. I throw all kinds of things and you and you just, just, I mean just paid no attention. What kind of way is that to fight?"
I tried to explain to the perpetually youthful demi-diety of travel mayhem my attempt to be in a place of gratitude in my life.
"Well that's all fine and well mortal, but I think you are being really selfish. I really do. What if everyone started acting like you? What would be left for a demi-diety like me to do?
"Well MUPGT I haven't exactly abandoned you completely. Did you hear about your new neighbor on the lower slopes of Olympus?"
"Ya there was some noise about a new demi-diety.'
"Yes the Magical Sales Manager Goddess of Grapenuts."
"Pathetic. What are they doing to the demi-diety business anyhow allowing these parvenus in."
"Well my horned equine nemesis, that parvenu demi-diety is my daughter who I secured a promotion. AND she and her family have just committed to really upping their travel game."
I could see MUPGT brain whirling. A relative of de-I. Traveling a lot. And a fellow demi-diety. How much fun will that be.
"Okay de-I I take it back. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. But I'm still going to throw at you an incredibly turbulent flight. I mean, I still have to do what I do."
"I would expect no less."
The flight was very turbulent. I watched the wine in my glass sloshing side to side, going over and soaking the tablecloth underneath, something I've never experienced before. But I was grateful to still be traveling, to still be able to enjoy this special thing in my life.
