Travel Moments

Life continues to throw you curve balls no matter where you are, what you are doing. It's how you handle them that dictates your character.

I was thinking about this during my flight from Montreal to England with my 2 year old son. I knew that there would be some curve balls travelling as a 'single parent' and for the first time with a toddler. And I was bound to make sure that my responses were not only appropriate, but God-honouring. However, I have to say, that the curve balls had nothing to do with my son or his behaviour. No ... it had to do with my braindead planning.

The flight went VERY well. We left PET airport at 7:30pm, ate supper on the plane at 9pm our time and buddy was done for the 'night' by 9:45. Was he sleeping-No ... but he was laying down and fell asleep by 10ish. By 1:30am, I woke him up and we ate breakfast. After all, it was 6:30 UK time! He did incredible! With a little jujube bribery to keep him in his seat for the landing, he was almost perfect. Me, on the other hand, completely braindead.

We got off the plane, and there was no stroller! I was told to pick it up at baggage claim. So, here I was, lugging 2 carry-ons, my sons toddler size knapsack and of course my son, walked down the stairs of the plane, onto a bus and then had to walk through customs. At the customs booths, they moved us to the front of the line. By this time I was sweatin' up a storm ... but Buddy was doing well. Only one little meltdown cause we couldn't stop and ride the handicap bus inside the airport! I wish we could have, trust me.

Once we got into the line for customs, I openned up my travel wallet and there were no passports! I couldn't believe it. At this point I was to either cry or laugh ... I laughed. Once I got to the custom desk, I mentioned to the gentleman right away that my passports were in my stroller. (Of course when I was boarding, I was under the impression that I would get my stroller RIGHT OFF THE PLANE ... otherwise I would have packed a little differently!) He was very kind, couldn't believe that the airline didn't have it and walked me to the baggage claim. Don't forget, I'm still lugging all the bags and a 2 year old ... just to find my passport!

Once we got the stroller, I openned up the pocket that the passports were supposed to be in. Yeah, you heard me. They weren't there. Now do I cry? I could have ... instead I instinctively (or God-ordered) openned the only pocket in one of the carry ons that was empty, only to find our passorts. I HAD THEM THE WHOLE TIME! Yup ... a little brain dead. Back we hiked to customs, this time with a stroller, laughing and apologizing the whole way. The customs agent probably just thought I was a fruitcake, but at this point I didn't care. Less than 3 hours sleep, with a toddler on the plane, a couple carry-ons and at least we had our papers!

So ... was this a character defining (CD) moment? I don't know. There have been 'bigger' CD moments in my life. But this was a good one to start a family reunion on, don't you think? It sure was just a joy to see how well my son did considering the adjustments he was in the middle of making and didn't even know it. And I was very thankful for a calm, understanding customs agent who served me. At least he wasn't a woman going through PMS in the middle of this ... and neither was I! It all made for a GREAT start to an incredible trip.

I look forward to sharing some of the highlights as we are here. Keep you posted!