Today, I got up at 5:45 for an early flight for business. 20 minutes before boarding my husband got sick and we had to reroute our plans. We ended up in the Westin attached to Denver International Airport. While it was awful for my husband, here's what I learned that I want to share with you.
I try to trust the reroute whenever possible, looking for the "divine in every situation". First clue The Universe was involved: This change of plans meant I didn't hit the ground running after traveling cross country after having house guests for 9 days.
When I asked for help, the Southwest Airlines attendants could not have been more helpful, generous or solution oriented when I asked about options to change our flights.
We checked into the hotel and immediately upon arrival, I explained the situation to Jes at the front desk and she got us in a room at record speed. She didn't let anything stop her. She asked all the right questions. My card got declined because I'm sure the bank has a red flag for you booked a flight you're supposed to be on and now you're trying to book a hotel in the same city where you live. She was simultaneously coming up with solutions as she was brainstorming things she could gather to help Kevin find relief. We agreed that while it's not ideal to miss a flight due to sickness, it sure is great to see how other humans show up for you when in need and when you ask for help.
I cracked open my laptop and cleaned out my inbox. Texting updates to my team and friends about the silver lining of being in a Westin bed rather than sitting at my desk. Cleaned up my email. Turned in a presentation. Read those email newsletters that have been piling up in my inbox. Then took a nap at 10:00 am. It was a reminder that if you take a break when your body needs it, you can recharge ad regroup faster and better.
Each time husband needed supplies, I took an extra few minutes to discover things that were off my planned path. While waiting on my DoorDash driver to bring me makeup, I learned about the airport train that I've been curious about since they built it. Literally.
With each "field trip" I stopped in the lobby to hug my new friend Jes who helped us get Kevin into a room lightening fast with all of her mama bear skills making sure Kevin had all of the relief she could provide. Not sure who needed the hugs more, but it wasn't a contest. We both got filled up with hugs today.
Kevin couldn't bear the smell of food so I took myself to lunch in the Westin complex. I sat down and read a book where my friend Layla designed the book cover and the book was written by her sister. I ate slowly, tasted every bite and ordered myself a glass of wine. While I ate, I listened to a podcast from Love Letters & Mixed Tapes about children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families. More on that later.
After lunch I checked out the little store for all of the things we might need that are currently in our suitcases in Orlando and met the nicest woman. So nice that I'm already thinking about visiting her after my dinner adventure. It's 3:00 and I feel like I've been here for a week.
I stopped in the elevator lobby to take a few photos of the view and decided to take more photos of the day to document the journey because it was becoming a blog worthy visit.
There are so many things I could have been frustrated about. I had many "poor me" opportunites, but instead I learned:
Without this detour, I wouldn't have gotten a day of rest before my next trip.
How luxurious a meal can be when I slowed down and enjoyed my food.
How important time away from the home office is.
Trips/adventures/detours with no plans or point are valuable.
Even a 24 hour adventure can be a full reset.
When you ask for help, you get to be the recipient of some kind and generous people
I would have normally made myself busy by complicating this 24 hours by inviting people to meet me at the airport rather than acknowledging that I crave time alone, especially to write.
And finally...the little things/moments sometimes really are the big things!
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