Airplane Whoa!! (Part 1)

You all know I fly a bunch and it's that time again but before I hop on another plane tomorrow let me say this.  I'm absolutely blessed and privileged to travel as often as I do. I love traveling. I like telling stories, and I meet all types of people not only in the airport but on the plane too. I never know who I'm sitting next to, sometimes I find it a pleasure sometimes I don't. Like when I'm squished in the middle or on one side or another. I've had lots of different experiences in my travels too, both good and bad. Like the time I met my little name twin Joy Elizabeth or the not so good time when I experienced motioned sickness. I never wish that on anyone! Out of all the flying I've done, from the time I was in my mothers womb, on flights I will never remember, until now some 30 years later, Never have I ever felt intentionally violated in an airplane until now. So I'm sitting next to the window in the exit row and there's no arm rests. I'm asleep listening with my earbuds in and suddenly I feel a hand squeeze my left side.😳 I'm extremely ticklish and again I'm sleep so I immediately jump awake and look behind me. Did this person just duck?😜 I sit up for a few minutes wondering who, what and why? Did he really just tickle me?? 😐 I dare not turn around again and tell them that's  assault, possibly sexual assault! He don't know who he's  messing with!! (2 snaps and a neck roll) That's what the professional Soldier and sexual assault response coordinator inside of me wants to tell him. I see their hand gripping the seat like they didn't mean it, they weren't sure why that part of the seat was so soft but since they felt such a nice squishy portion of the chair they decided to give it a squeeze. 💺Would I even accept an "I'm sorry" at this point?? Maybe if they had really apologetic eyes. 👀🙈I'd do my best to keep from rolling my mine😏. No, it's best that I just mull it over in my head 💬and write this blog for you alls enjoyment. Oh for the knowledge part. Word of advice, disregard anyone who kinda sort of touches you on the airplane, unless they intentionally sneak a feel in an inappropriate place. There's at least 40 to 300 ppl scrunched in an air pressured bubbles for a few hours trying to be as comfortable as possible. You'd hope that the common courteousness of people would urge them to try and keep their hands in their own bubble and not on the love handles of the person in front of them. Hope this made you smile and want to fly.  ✈️ And as I prepare to take off again I hope everyone keeps their hands off my handles. 

Airport/Airplane Whoa Part 2 (part 1 is for later)

First let me start by saying my graduation 🎓weekend was absolutely amazing.

Walking the stage was great but having my family 👪 there was the highlight. And my Aunt Dee.

Besides my mom, she's one of my biggest fans. She supports everything I do and she's usually there for all of it. My first marriage, my initial sermon, my promotion to Sergeant First Class, all of it, she was there. So hanging out with her this weekend has been a treat. Something I could easily overlook because this is a norm but certainly nothing I want to take for granted because family is wonderful. So as our weekend comes to a close it's clearly been too perfect to remain that way. We shared a nice breakfast at Bob Evans then the journey to the airport began. Murphy decided he wanted to ride to the airport with us. What a fiasco!! First we ran into a bit of traffic headed to the airport. No big deal, traffic is common.

Then we couldn't find a gas station to fill the rental before returning and I'm determined to find one cause if I don't  gonna be charged $9 a gallon! That's insane😬 but when we did find one, after we passed the airport, the gas station didn't take credit or debit cards, cash 💴only. Nobody carries cash anymore! (Except my aunt Dee😊👍) Finally we made it to airport. ✈️Now I'm a little pressed for time but I have TSA pre-check✔️ so I'll make it. I drive towards the rental car returns and  took the Mustang back to wrong rental lot! Hertz can't do anything with a Budget😕 I finally got back to the right lot, to the shuttle, to the terminal, through security and to the gate. But I had a dilemma along the way. I realized I must've left my  ID in the Mustang but stayed at the gate anyhow hoping to get on. I can get a new ID, maybe they'll even mail it to me. I tried calling Budget numerous times but of course that didn't help and I didn't get on the flight so... I'm headed back to Budget now to get it. And they better have it!! I knew exactly where it was so yes I found it and made my way back to the terminal to try again. All the while my auntie is still there. Well, 3 or 4 more attempts later for the both of us to make it to our separate designations, my chances of getting to where I need to be are shot. Next best place to go is Chicago with family. At least I won't be stranded at the airport. And yes, we get the last two seats on the next flight. Man, when was the last time I've flown somewhere with my auntie Dee? At least 20 years!! Disney World?? Really?! This is great!! Until the pilot announces that a bird strike was discovered on the engine. A bird strike? Is that like an air strike? Did they intentionally aim for this plane's engine? Either way, we can't go anywhere and we actually have to get off the plane! Noooo!! We're standbys don't tease us like this! No worries, they're gonna get us a new plane or fix this one and we will leave in a few hours. All is well. We're safe and we're together. An opportunity to take advantage of spending time together, I even forfeit going to my usual airport hangout, the USO. And although I won't make it home tonight I will be home with family for a few hours until I try 'Operation Destination Home'  again in the morning. This airport/airplane whoa actually turned out to be wonderful.

So now for the advice and wisdom. Count your blessings, it could be worse. Don't take family for granted, they're our #1 supporters and when birds decide they want to plan an attack on the plane just go with it. It won't turn out too well for them. 🙊 

Bittersweet

Bittersweet moments to me are those moments when you look forward to one thing but sadly consider a parallel occurrence like being excited about a new move but realize you may leave FRIENDS or a loved place behind.  Or finally having a bandage or cast removed but a CHALLENGING recovery awaits. For me BITTERSWEET moments are just apart of life and seeing the happiness BEYOND the not so happiness definitely makes LIFE worth living. IT'S OKAY TO PAUSE. It's good to remember and reflect as well as LOOK FORWARD but never let it stop you for so long that you quit. KEEP PRESSING PLAY.

NO MATTER WHAT STAY IN MOTION. One thing I promise not to do this weekend is hold back the tears. I remember asking the Lord when my dad passed away to not let his loss consume me all at once but for the array of emotions to come in waves,  GOD GAS BEEN FAITHFUL in honoring this request, sometimes at what I would consider awkward moments like in the paper towel aisle at Walmart. Sometimes I'm very aware of the thoughts that bring about a moment of sadness remembering something my dad may have done or said, seeing or hearing something that makes me think of him. Sometimes I have no idea, and tears just flow. 

This weekend will be bittersweet. I'm CELEBRATING the culmination of a long journey, receiving my bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in Social Sciences in Adelphi MD. I've been on this journey for quite some time and now the first part is complete. I will REMEMBER my dad as I walk across the stage, this Saturday May 17th on what would have been his 67th birthday. When he passed unexpectedly from pancreatic cancer I was in the middle of a few college courses. I wanted to quit; he would've wanted me to go on, so I DID AND NOW I'M HERE. Last year I remembered him on his birthday by participating in the Relay for Life. RELAY FOR LIFE, not just an event but a COMMAND. Continue to GO ON. That was a hard year, the first year that I wasn't able to call and say Happy Birthday or send a card in the mail, but I was able to support a cause to continue to FIGHT for a cure. I hope this year is easier as I share his day with an ACCOMPLISHMENT. I always remember him, I know he's proud of me. I always want him to be proud so I've already applied to Liberty University to pursue my Master's degree. 

LOOKING AHEAD Yep, I know when I complete that degree that will be a bittersweet moment as well because he won't be there. In a few months I will walk down the aisle to begin a new journey as a wife and he won't be there. Another BITTERSWEET moment awaits but I MUST GO ON. My fear, my struggle, my heartache in the beginning was feeling like I would somehow leave him behind as I continued to reach GOALS in life, that is so far from the truth. When I look in the mirror I can't help but see him. I AM MICKEY HENDRY, his first born, continuing the dream of being great and in my mind hearing him say, "I'm so proud of you and I love you too girl, cause I'm your Dad" it makes me smile with sad eyes, but it's okay, that's life, that's bittersweet.

 

So Daddy, I believe you're looking down on me SMILING, probably with tears of joy as well but I'm glad I'm making you PROUD.

Solutions are simple

PUSH through it. Pray Until Something Happens 

KEEP SILENT until it's time to talk. Find a confident listening ear 

LISTEN to good advice

REACH OUT phone a friend

WORK IT OUT Release your aggression in a healthy manner (don't hit anything or anyone but the gym)

L-I-G! Let It GO!!

RELAX soak in a hot tub with bubble bath, aroma therapy and some good music, maybe even a book 

Before bed PRAY thanking The Lord you made it through the day, knowing He was with you every step of the way 

FLOAT right in to sleep leaving today's worries in cares in God's hands. You'll be better tomorrow