just so i never forget

some experiences are unforgettable, good or bad. some things you think you'll never forget, but as the years pass and the memories fade, the details begin to blur. some experiences I don't want to ever forget, because they teach so much.

in December, I flew cross-country with my two little ones. I knew going in that it would be a day of survival. I was prepared as much as any reasonable mother could be. portable dvd player-- check. toddler headphones and movies-- check, check. snacks galore-- check. extra clothes, diapers, baby wipes-- check, check, check. the first part of the flight went smoothly. we watched movies, ate, played with play-dough. holding a more-than-wiggly ten-month-old on my lap was the greatest challenge. by the end of the flight, I (and the floor) was covered in ginger ale and maybe some of my toddler's milk. but, hey, if that's the worst of it, who cares? it was about halfway through our five hour flight that panic set in. we were delayed leaving our home airport and the realization that we were going to miss our connecting flight finally dawned on me. woops. it was definitely a "what am I going to do?" moment. in fact, I kept saying this over and over for a few hours, probably leading our neighboring passenger to believe that this lady with all the kids had indeed lost her marbles.

you know when you get in a pickle and you can defer to someone else's guidance? well, during this flight, I knew a decision had to be made. unfortunately, I was the one who had to make it! since when did I become the grown-up?

we landed, and of course, had missed our flight. the airline was setting me up for a flight out early the next morning, so here I was with a 2-year-old and a ten-month-old, at 10pm, in an airport, trying to decide where to go and what to do...only to have to return in less than 8 hours!

I learned a few things during this experience. you're more capable in moments like these than you realize. even as I type this story, i'm thinking, "so what? why did I think it was such a big deal?". but in that moment, tears were on the verge of flowing and my stress level was escalating. but God's grace and provision rang true. I remember a friend telling me once (quoting Elisabeth Elliott, I believe) that when we envision catastrophes or difficult times ahead, we can never envision the grace that God provides to get through those times. so true. I also learned (well, not learned, but relied on) that people are willing to help. let them. no one gets an award for toughing it out without help, except maybe a "you're dumb" award. texts and calls from family were coming in faster than I could respond. my husband's parents coordinated a hotel room (and shuttle service!) for us while I was working out the tickets. support was there and I was more than grateful.

deserving an entire paragraph to itself, God provided not only kind individuals, but angels in  disguise. I mentioned our neighbor on the plane-- a young, single guy who truly went out of his way to assist me-- entertaining my littles with smiles and games, offering a kid's movie he happened to have in his backpack, and even letting me use his tray for my drink on the flight, ha! such simple things that, had it been a different person next to us, could have made for an entirely different experience! another kind soul was actually the airline employee who arranged my departing flight. I honestly wasn't paying much attention to her (being on the phone with family, looking after my boys, wondering how in the world good would come of this night) and then, after she printed the boarding passes, came out from behind the counter and started picking up our carry-ons. she said her shift was over and that she would walk me out to where the shuttle would pick me up (all the way across the airport). she was a sweet Indian woman who told me about her daughter and granddaughter-- and that when she sees young mothers, she thinks of her daughter and wants to help. she rode the train with me to the main terminal, recruited other airport employee friends of hers to help, and literally took me to my shuttle stop. I was in awe of her kindness. this dear woman had worked the entire day and was now going out of her way to assist me and make my crazy situation just that much easier. we even hugged goodbye!

moments like these are living proof that God gives us glimpses of His grace, if only we have eyes to see them. He is ever working, ever providing, ever loving us through people. I want to be a vessel of grace to others-- believers and unbelievers alike-- and go out of my way to serve others even when especially when it costs me something. it's what sacrificial love is about and it is what Christ Jesus has done for us. we give because He gave. we are all recipients of His grace-- how can we not extend this grace to others?

so, that's my story of traveling cross-country with two littles. not gonna lie-- I am praying that the trip back is far less eventful. but, regardless, I am certain that God's grace is already there and that He will provide all that we have need of. I hope I never forget it.

my sweet boys, fallen asleep next to me in the hotel

5:45am. heading out to catch our shuttle to the airport for our final flight!