Do it Again!

Jonathan was my packing buddy on my last day at home and he did an amazing job! He helped me organize things, made me lunch, and was incredibly patient with me in my stressed and emotional state. My parents attended the funeral of a relative in Victoria in the morning so they were gone all day, returning home about an hour before we had to leave for the airport. It was tough to have them gone all day but that's life and it was good for me and Jonathan to pull together to get things done.

My sister Lisa came out to say goodbye and my brother, David, and his fiance Keri left work early to make it home before I had to leave. Mom, Dad and Jonathan took me to the airport and Adam called from his home in Parksville to say goodbye and ask if he could have my camera if I die while I'm travelling. Love that guy... always knows how to make me laugh when I just want to cry.

While in the lineup for about 20 minutes at the airport I turned around and realized I was only about three people away from the front of the lineup and I burst into tears (for at least the fifth time that day), realizing that there was no turning back and final goodbyes were only minutes away. I approached the ticket counter and the girl asked me how I was doing and with tears streaming down my face I said, "I'm okay" and then half sobbed, "I'm going really far from home." My luggage was three and a half kilos over the weight allowance so I should have been charged over $60 but she didn't even mention it. I'm thinking maybe the tears helped... I wish I could cry on cue... it would help in a lot of situations! (Now I regret removing so much stuff from my bags to keep the overweight charges down!)

I was seated next to a friendly Irish couple (Northern Ireland so their accents were only slight) and we had a great time visiting in the rare moments when we weren't sleeping. I love window seats - more options for changing positions so I didn't get too stir crazy on the eight hour direct flight.

First view of England.

Before and during the landing in Gatwick, the plane was shifting and bouncing around a lot and when we finally touched down there was a smattering of mock applause and a bunch of grumbling comments. In a moment of silence a little girl gave a joyful single clap and burst out with, "Do it again!"

That's what I want my attitude to be.

I want to find something delightful in even the most dismal moments. Laugh when the rain and wind blow my hair to a stringy mess. Laugh when the bus and train schedules don't work out the way I want them to. Laugh when the food I order isn't what I thought it would be. Laugh when paths turn to a muddy mess.