Journey Through the Great Sadness

I was never a good airplane passenger, even though I had been one dozens of times. Being a military brat gave us the opportunity to travel by plane often. We lived in Europe for a while so we often flew back to New York for family visits. And when we settled in South Carolina, we went back to Austria to visit my mother’s birthplace. But, I never totally got used to it nor did I develop a fondness for it.

After 9/11, I swore I would never get on another plane. And then I got married and had to go on a honeymoon. We picked Siesta Key, Florida, and driving was not an option. I was, as I like to say, heavily sedated for the entire flight. And I was still a wreck. But, I had my wonderful, new husband. Then a couple of years later, we went back to Siesta Key for a family vacation. Again, I had my wonderful husband. Last October found us traveling to Oregon to visit our good friends, the Dyer’s, who were married two weeks before us. I still didn’t like it but I still had my wonderful husband.

I am about to take flight again tomorrow. A wonderful opportunity has presented itself to me; the kind you just can’t say no to. I’m heading to Charlotte, NC to do some magazine work surrounding Michael Waltrip Racing and the NASCAR All Star Race this weekend. You just can’t beat all expenses paid!

The caveat is that my wonderful husband will not be coming with me. I toyed with the idea of being heavily sedated again but am not comfortable with that notion since I’ll be flying alone. Besides, perhaps it’s time for me to take flight alone.

Yes, I am scared to death. Yet, I feel peace about this entire trip. I believe this will be a flight of healing. It’s going to be incredibly difficult for me to get on that plane alone. But I know that, in reality, I’m not alone.

My Lord is with me. And He won’t leave me; turbulence or none. He is always at my side. I know I have to keep reminding myself of that. This is not a leap of faith - but a flight of faith.

Loving Father, I am trusting you on this flight of healing. Your will be done.