leavin' on a jet plane...maybe...

The offer came last fall.

"Come visit me for a week."

It took me six months to look at flights.

I booked a cheap one.

I was afraid I might chicken out. 

I was tempted to this morning when I woke with anxiety raising its ugly head.

It would have been an easy choice to back out.

But I didn't do it.

I got out of bed, went through my morning routine, and 
started the process...

jeans
blouses
camis
cardigans
flannel
PJs
socks, etc.
first thing in the morning quiet time stuff
last thing at night quiet time stuff
toiletries
boots and flip flops
knee brace
Spread out on my bed

Go to Jonathan's old room
Get suitcase from closet
Take to my room

I seriously need a break
Breakfast
Coffee
Visit with Beth and kids before they leave
Visit with Bre and Jackson
Stall
Look at clock
Stall
Check website-
Flight is on schedule
Stall
Check again
Must pack 

Take a picture in case my suitcase gets lost, then start.

How can the suitcase that looks so large
shrink when you pack
because I know I don't have THAT much stuff!
unpack
rearrange
still too much
set aside the second pair of boots
put away two of the five cardigans
repack
reject a few more items
suitcase will zip
finished
just in time to go to lunch

Meet recruit
Peruse cafe food choices
Not much looks appetizing today 
Small talk
Storm coming (will it delay the flight?)
Head home
Check flight
Still on schedule
Load up van with suitcase and kids
Sarah drives
Rain pounds the windshield
I think, several times, "What if we hydroplane?"
Arrive at airport

It is time.

Tell Sarah and girls goodbye.

Enter airport.

Check bag.

Successfully make it through security without setting off any alarms.
(The last time I travelled I am pretty sure I was in six different airports. And set off the metal detector in five of them.
My experience is that people who work security in an airport are not the friendliest group of people. They take their job seriously, particularly when dealing with people who have set off the metal detector. Especially overseas.)

When it was time to board, I got on the plane. 

It wasn't until we were in the air that I realized I was flying in to Myrtle Beach Airport. I have never flown there, but Myrtle Beach is where Bill and I honeymooned. I am glad I didn't think of that when I booked the tickets, because I don't think I would have bought them.

I swallowed back tears on the plane.

I enjoyed the beauty of flying above the clouds.

I thought about how if heaven is up, I was closer to heaven while I was on the plane.

I almost ran into Miss Rita's arms when I saw her smiling face as I came down the hall to claim my bag.

I did cry a little on her shoulder.

Tonight I am exhausted. 

I had no idea how much work today would be. 

But, I did it. 

And I am glad I did. 

(I am thankful for the prayer support 

that made this post possible.)