notes from the road

When they say, “poor thing, we seemed to have lost your luggage” with that cute kiwi accent, it’s almost not as upsetting.  Almost.  I guess it wasn’t as awful as when the attendant on the flight from Cleveland to Chicago told me, “I’m sorry, you can’t get off of the plane now because we’ve closed the door.”  Haha. Yeah, I’m not kidding.  You see, before checking my bags, I told my mom I would be right back to say goodbye.  (I had to make sure that neither suitcase went over 50lbs before she left– one was 49lbs – phew).  But while checking my bags, I was told that all flights were extremely delayed and the only way to make my next 3 flights would be to get on an earlier flight.  Meaning I needed to RUN.  Right away.  To the gate.  Without saying goodbye to my mom.  So I did, and it didn’t hit me till I boarded the plane that – HOLY CRAP – I’m leaving for a year or so and I didn’t say goodbye to my mom.  Which is when I of course started crying and asked to get off the plane.  It didn’t help that my mom didn’t have her cell phone w/ her, and I wasn’t able to update her to this change in plans.  So I’m flying to Chicago as she’s waiting by the car at the airport thinking I probably got kidnapped or something.  Let me just say now, I am so thankful for all the people who have been praying for me because by the grace of God, I was able to have peace and feel OK about this mini catastrophe – as well as call my mom from Chicago, who amazingly wasn’t freaking out.  (I LOVE YOU MOM!!!) 

So, 4 days later and here I am in Christchurch NZ wearing the same clothes and looking like a nut.  Seriously, when people tell you to pack spare clothes and toiletries in your carryon just in case – listen.