We missed our connecting flight by four minutes. I felt a wave of frustration rush through me. Frustration at the apathetic flight attendants as we sat on the tarmac for an hour, frustration at the smug look on the gate agent’s face when I asked for the customer service desk and she pointed towards a spider web of humans swarming around a small table, frustration at myself for packing the toothpaste and deodorant in our checked bag.
Travel keeps us humble. I love being reminded how incredibly raw and sleepy and smelly all of us humans are, as we’re packed like sardines in a metal can flying thousands of feet in the sky, various mysterious odors abound, groans as the delay was extended, and a Chihuahua in first class that is either excited or terrified.
So much of this precious life is not in our control, which is both comforting and a great reminder of what we do control: our ability to make the most of 16 hours in Phoenix when we’d only planned to be there for one, and our hopes that the hotel breakfast bar has a waffle maker.
My bitterness was extremely short-lived, mostly because Ollie tugged at my pants and rubbed his eyes, looking deflated with some yogurt stains on his dinosaur hoodie. Attention averted, and a sublime reminder of what does matter: clean clothes, hugs hugs hugs, and a bed to sleep in.
It is a precious life! And we all need gentle reminders.