In the
past seven months I have taken 17 flights from one destination to another and
am tired. I just read a story of a CEO of a company in America who flies 340
days of the year. I would be messed up. However, I got time to reflect during
this flight on the things about flying that I enjoy and dread.
I used
to wonder how some ladies did it when they entered the plane in heels. Well,
today for the first time in my life I flew in heels – ruby red ones and a long
dress all made up as if I was on my way to some corporate meeting. I like to
think that my student days are over and it’s time to shape up :). It feels
really good to wear high shoes again. I like being tall. Am sure someone
somewhere wondered how I could do this. She’ll probably be doing it sooner than
she thinks! I think that if my shoes are not comfortable for doing all the
things I do, then I might as well just get rid of them. These ones have passed
the test.
One of
the things I enjoy most about flying is taking off. The effect of soaring up so
high is amazing. I still marvel at this invention. After takeoff I can’t stand
the transition to balance. You know that time when the plane is trying to
stabilize and it lowers itself as though it’s going to drop. My heart often
drops at this point and it’s not a funny feeling. I like to think it’s like
most transitions in life. That finding balance is often one of the most
uncomfortable experiences. There is fear, uncertainty and dread. Sometimes it’s
as if everything is going to sink down low. But after stability is gained, I
enjoy the flight. Well almost until the turbulence. I was recently telling a
friend of mine who just cannot get herself to fly that turbulence reminds me to
trust in God more than anything. Before you get into a plane you know you can
control some things around you. When you get into an airport your life is in
the hands of immigration, homeland security and the flight staff. Everything
you do is more or less rules that are required for one’s safety and for the
flight to go well. When in flight I like to think God becomes the reality. Turbulence
reminds me that no matter how much I scream, push my ear plugs in and wimp,
there is nothing I can do about the situation but go through it. This is when
my trust in God becomes real. I normally say prayers with an attitude I never
have anywhere else. I can’t even call it passionate praying. You know the kind
of prayers that are heavy laden with fear and fright all in one.
Today,
I pulled down my window when the plane was changing direction towards our
destination. It almost felt as if we were going to do a somersault thing. I
pulled that little window down again when we were slowing down to land and the
pilot just kept on slowing at what appeared to be a lake right below the plane.
Of course I had no view of the airport
so I just kept imagining us landing on the expanse of water.
The
landing is often loud; with tires pulling out of their hiding spot, wings
coming up and touching down is no gentle kiss. This I am used to. It’s
transitioning to being back on the ground that unnerves me all over again. That
time when the plane is slowing down yet speeding at the same time. I guess my
mind just starts wondering what would happen if the brakes fail. We will just
ram into a highway or some water body or just crash. Transitions are generally
uncomfortable and this I know for sure. I was once in an almost plane crash.
This is for another time or maybe later when I feel like writing about
it. These things put together never scare me from flying. In fact I never think
of them until they start to happen.
I am
starting to think that relationships in life and flying require the same attitude. When you
get together the hope is to make it work. So you make plans, you make a
home and you go for it. I do not know anyone who takes a flight thinking just
in case we crash, let me wear these shoes, they’ll help me swim better or walk
a long distance if we land in a forest. People often make plans for what will
happen when they get to their destination. I must say it’s not only marriage,
its life in general. It’s about hope. Hoping that you will wake up and do all
you want to do. And so as I enter a new year with so much more travel ahead of
me. I am learning to trust that God has my life in his hands. That my hope in
Him making my life full of purpose and greatness should be a constant.
