Traveling

So, I left the house at 6am to catch a flight at 7:50 ish and made my way to Oakland. Traveling for work is never a desirable activity for me, but today I am able to appreciate it a little more each time I do it.

Which reminds me... 

The last time I traveled for work was to San Antonio for a photoshoot and the Spurs just won something, this time I was headed to Oakland and the Golden State Warriors just won something... I am not a basketball fan, but apparently it's awesome to win whatever they win.

When I traveled to Texas I felt good about traveling and my new found freedom felt pretty good too. I was connecting with fellow travelers, taxi drivers, and attendants as well. I hadn't traveled in a long time and I was relieved I could do it without fear, anxiety, or just plain old irritability. 

The man across the aisle

During that trip I had a layover in Houston and I boarded a smaller plane to San Antonio. It was a rough ride with a lot of turbulence and the guy across the aisle was visibly nervous and I couldn't help but notice. When the plane shook he grabbed the arm rests and looked up taking deep breaths, he seemed to be praying too. If there is anything I learned during those first few months of sobriety it was that we ALL need one another. We ALL need to either help or rely on each other the best we can. It's not easy to feel alone or afraid. Not being afraid of the turbulence myself (and the plane as noisy as it was) I tapped the man across the aisle and gestured to him: "you okay?" I asked with a type of broken sign language and he responded by nodding his head "yes" and giving me the "okay" sign in return. I went back to reading my book for the rest of the flight.

He wore black

As we exited the plane in San Antonio I let the man across the aisle exit ahead of me. As I motioned him ahead he got up and I was shocked to see that he was a priest! Of all the people in the world... A priest! I was consoling a priest who was obviously praying for his own life (as well as others I am sure) and in the moment he was praying and looking for peace and/or comfort, God saw it fit to send me. Me? Of all people? Me? God certainly does have a sense of humor...