We grabbed our bags from the overhead
bins and literally ran off the plane. The mad dash through Vienna airport to
catch our connecting flight was hectic. With the doors closing in less than a
minute, we weaved frantically in and out of the crowd. Stepping inside the warm
cabin, hearts pounding, foreheads glistening, we made our way to our seats
against a backdrop of sarcastic applause. I couldn't be bothered to explain
about our aborted landing minutes earlier, and instead, decided to just sit and
have a cold drink. And that's when I found a group of passengers sat in our
seats, refusing to move. After a battle of words, the flight attendant came
along, barked at us to disperse, and told us to find any free seat so that we
could take off. And so I turned, left my friends, and made my way towards the
back of the plane to squeeze in between two passengers who had absolutely no
intention of allowing me past easily. This was going to be a long 11
hours!
It wasn't until I
eventually drifted off into a light sleep that I finally let go and began to
look forward to seeing Thailand for the first time.
It was magical, enchanting, and life changing.
Then, the tsunami came.
The flight home was a bit of a blur. Looking around at the half-empty plane, a thought occurred to me. What if everything did indeed happen for a reason? What if we were meant to be late that evening so that those people could sit together one last time? Are we ever really late for anything, or do we always arrive at exactly the right moment?
Looking out down towards the clouds, tears rolling down my face, I said a quick prayer for everyone who wasn't on the plane, and made a vow to breathe with life, trusting that I will always be where I am meant to be.
It was magical, enchanting, and life changing.
Then, the tsunami came.
The flight home was a bit of a blur. Looking around at the half-empty plane, a thought occurred to me. What if everything did indeed happen for a reason? What if we were meant to be late that evening so that those people could sit together one last time? Are we ever really late for anything, or do we always arrive at exactly the right moment?
Looking out down towards the clouds, tears rolling down my face, I said a quick prayer for everyone who wasn't on the plane, and made a vow to breathe with life, trusting that I will always be where I am meant to be.
Love this as always Jeff. You always write in a way that makes me think. I love how you close this post as well - trusting that you will always be where you're meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend! Hope all is well and sunny with you.
DeleteAn amazing story well-told as usual.
ReplyDelete:-) Thanks so much, kind Sir.
DeleteHappy holidays, amazing travel and safe journeys.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you Jason! Hope you're having a great weekend.
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