Do you want Fries with that?

It’s funny how memories suddenly leap out (at 2am!). It was surprising for me, as my mind has been a kin to a pin ball machine recently, pinging all over the place! Serenaded by ‘ringy’ ears.

This particular memory took me to London Heathrow Airport (a rather emotive subject again). Terminal 4 I think, flying long haul back in the 90’s. My whole family squeezed around inelegant café tables in the departure lounge.

This had followed an emotional debacle at check-in, with quite a pile of luggage. I’ll set the scene. Young mum relocating to Asia. Limited shipping, so taking as much as possible on the flight. The stewardess was an absolute angel. When she announced that my luggage was WAAAAY over allowance, I burst into tears. I didn’t generally do that.

With me explaining that, on that morning I had completed the finishing touches to our home prior to handing over the keys for rental. As I was readying to leave, discovered I hadn’t packed all my clothes!! Too late. They would be heading to storage.

Back at checkin, seeing my utter despair the stewardess just said ‘don’t worry, I’ll put it all through‘. As she deftly bleeped it all on to the conveyor belt. Speechless. I could have hugged her. We were so fortunate to travel in the 90s. It was so much more flexible and relaxed. You could even take drinks on board for your children.

At the table in departures. How I managed to eat was beyond me. Someone very dear to me calling across from a fast food counter, asking “do you want fries with that?” what with my plastic coffee!

Several weeks earlier, from the roof of a multi story car park, I’d watched my husband’s flight leave. My sister patiently waiting as I lingered, peering into the night sky…”just one more minute, I can still see the tail lights.”

Back in departures. Ding, flick, flick, flick, flick, flick – gate up! Hong Kong Kai Tak. Yes, that long ago. Time to begin the farewells at the top of a long, wide ramp down through to passport control. I found it strange that it was all carpeted. I’ve no idea, but I imagine this must have changed by now, and if not, it will be a different colour. It’s years since I’ve been able to take a flight.

It hadn’t been an easy day, even though new horizons beckoned. Hugging my parents last, my father’s hurried words of wisdom, reminding me to look up the church he’d sought out via one of his many connections. Please don’t look me in the eyes dad! The sudden heave in your chest and that’s it. BLUB!!

Walking through the small portal like opening to transit land, with my little bundle of joy and a dear sister, the last waves and glimpses. Sobbing as you go, looking like a panda with eyes red and drippy “there goes another one” they must think, as you navigate the no mans land of identity checks. Preparing to leave for the journey to one of the noisiest arrivals halls I’d seen in my life!. And I can’t recall if I ate the pre-flight fries.

This all happened very swiftly and unexpectedly, following some earnest prayer. God hears us, and wow I was taken by surprise!

Psalm 139:1 & 5b NIV ~ O Lord, … you know me…you perceive my thoughts from afar…you have laid your hand upon me, Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to attain.

The song below really sums up how I felt about the challenge. (If you’re a regular visitor, you may notice I’ve progressed to adding links!) I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for popping by, hope to see you again soon.

Have a blessed day.

Penny @hopefoundinme

Proverbs 21:1 NIV  ~ The..heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

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