Lemons & Lemonade

Perhaps it is the morning yoga class…breathing in the good emotions and breathing out the bad ones. Perhaps it is 5 days spent with good friends in Caribbean bliss…cocktailing, sunning, exercising, sleeping, and reading. Perhaps it is simply the awareness that I have more blessings in my life than I can count and more than I deserve. Whatever the case, I enter the airport feeling peaceful. (lemonade)

The place is chaotic. A queue of tanned travelers run through security and customs in a fairly orderly fashion. But the terminal is packed. Apparently, there are plenty of flights TO St. Thomas but not as many FROM. Makes sense…who wants to leave this place anyway? Several flights are overbooked, including mine. (lemons)

“This flight is overbooked. We are looking for volunteers to not take this flight. We are offering $500 plus a voucher for hotel, meals and travel to and from the airport.”

The offer is sweetened every half hour or so. Eventually, the going offer hits $1000! It certainly makes me think…a few more days here gratis could be nice. (lemonade) The kicker is that the next available flight isn’t until 6 days hence. Wow. (big lemon)

One poor woman is completely losing her shit. (go suck a lemon) She yells at the airline agent as though that will make the record colds in the Midwest and Northeast abate. She’s connecting through Chicago, which was obviously poor planning on her part. Clearly, her chakras are out of balance. I consider telling her both of these things, but think better of it. (just smart)

Thankfully, I board and fly safely and without incident to Newark. (grateful lemonade) However, it turns out my flight from Newark to home is canceled. Not delayed. Canceled. I guess connecting through Newark was poor planning on my part, too! (bad karma lemon for thinking that woman should suck a lemon)

Generally, when I’m under stress I shift into “white hot” mode. “I will fix this. I will find a plan.” I simultaneously talk with Bert and the United help desk while standing in their customer service line. The man on the phone offers me a flight on Thursday (3 days later), the woman in front of me puts me on standby (#12 on the list) for a flight later that night, and Bert suggests I just stay, make the best of it, and take a train tomorrow. I married him for more than his good looks.

Dial Christopher…he and Derek are home. “Yes. Come! We’re just fixing dinner. See you soon.” (good lemonade)

A quicker than expected cab ride to the East Village swiftly lands me in the warm confines of Chris & Derek’s flat. Candles ablaze. Pinot Noir just corked. Salmon is cooking. It is lovely to see them. A real treat. I sleep on their daybed with sheets that have a higher thread count than the nicest hotel, fluffy down pillows and a down duvet. I’m cocooned in heaven for one more night. (really good lemonade)

I wake early. Read. Write. See the sunrise shining on the Empire State Building. It’s a gorgeous day, albeit frigid. Kiss Christopher goodbye. Take a shower with exquisitely fancy bath products. Wrap myself in an Egyptian cotton towel big enough for Andre the Giant, and then put the kettle on. (even better lemonade)

Derek emerges from his slumber with fabulous Scottish bed head and a silk robe. He prepares eggs with cream and smoked salmon on toast. Proper linens. And champagne. He clearly doesn’t want me to leave. (best lemonade ever!)

Alas, I call the car service to go to the train station. My train is on time, uncrowded, quiet, and pleasant. I spend another 7 hours reading, writing and daydreaming. I’m heading home to see my babies and my incredible husband.

For a canceled flight and stressful 2 days of traveling, I feel incredibly peaceful. Twelve hours of unexpected bliss with two of my favorite fellas fortified me. My chakra is balanced…all 7 of them!

What I learned today: Making lemonade out of lemons may take some effort, but is always worth it in the end. Start sqeezing!