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. 🙊