Delayed Adventure

September 2, 2022

Today was the day—I woke up at 5:00 AM, bags packed and ready to head to the airport. Today was when I was to leave on a long-awaited 90-day adventure to Spain and Portugal. Fortunately, I checked my email because my flight out of Seattle was delayed by one hour, so I would not make my connection in Dallas. So glad I did not learn this at the airport!

I waited in the kitchen until my cousin woke up, so I could share the bad news. But hey, my flight was rebooked for 7:00 AM tomorrow. That would mean heading out at 4:00 AM. We both decided to go back to bed. I crashed out and slept until 10:30.

I would have been devastated if this had been a short trip, say a week or ten days. But how can I be upset when I know I will be in Europe for three months? On top of that, school started this week, and I am not in the classroom. And hey, my hotel in Madrid is pre-paid; I can go right to check in when I arrive on Sunday morning. So much to be grateful for!

The past few years have taught me that I can make plans, but I need to be ready for them to change. I was supposed to be house-sitting in Valencia from September 4-20, but my new friends canceled two weeks after I bought my plane ticket. They decided to move back to the states in July. Then I changed my plans and decided to explore Portugal before heading to Spain.

I know there will be ups and downs, pleasant surprises, and devastating disappointments in the weeks ahead. This morning reminded me that I need to roll with it, and it will all be worth it. Adventure on—well, tomorrow!