Not so fast

Right now I’m supposed to be high in the air flying across the country. Having my boys experience looking out the window and down at the clouds. The force of takeoff as you rush along the runway and then feel the wheels come off the ground. Watching the trees as they get smaller and smaller. Ezra has never been on a plane and Noah was so young last time that he doesn’t really remember. As much as airports and the process of flying can be painful, I’ll never not marvel and take in the actual act of flying.

But, instead of experiencing all this with my wife and boy’s, I’m sitting on my couch drinking a coffee.

Five years ago I had a sabbatical from work. We had this same trip booked and planned. Going to visit my sister and her family who we don’t get to see nearly enough.

The universe of course had other plans back then as well. A global pandemic and we had to cancel.

Our lives are busy and it wasn’t until now that we could work it out to go again.

I thought, nothing is going to stop us this time, so I’ll save money and booked the most basic flights which also means no changes, cancellations, or refunds.

This was a trip I needed. A break from the daily grind. A step outside the usual responsibilities.

Ah my cockiness. The universe was having none of that. Not only do you not get this, but here, have another serving of stress and heartache.

One of the hardest parts was telling my sons, both of whom have been looking forward to this for so long. They were packed and ready to go.

Ezra loves his cousins. He talks about them often and despite not seeing them much considers them his best friends. He’s too young to really understand and yet I could learn from him on how to deal with disappointment.