Heather the Jetsetter
Chapter 7: Keeping the Faith

It's been exactly one week since Air Canada & FedEx returned my bag, and in one week I'll be repacking it for Barcelona and Istanbul!

I'm really looking forward to this next trip, although I'll admit I'm nervous about another airport mix/mess up. Even though the lost bag and poor customer service contributed to my current pessimism about the efficiency of airlines, it also helped me remember a lesson that my canceled flight from LAX to IAD taught me 2 years ago. It reminded me of my faith and belief that everything happens for a reason. It helped trigger the "go with the flow" mentality that I know I have but which tends to hide beneath the planner in me -- just waiting and wanting to be called forth. And it helped me recall my favorite aspect of the FISH! philosophy -- choose your attitude. I can't always help what happens to me, but I can choose how I respond.

I also appreciate how kind my friends were during my trip. I expressed my gratitude often, and some folks looked at me oddly saying, "Well of course, we're your friends. This is what friends are for -- no thanks necessary." But I think it is. We all take the special people in our lives for granted at times, and I believe we need to tell people we love, appreciate, respect, care for, enjoy, etc. their being in our lives. And no, not everyone would leap to a friend's side like my friends did in London. They may see their hospitality and generosity as no big deal, but to me it meant everything.

Although I have more to be thankful for during my jetsetting weekend than the clothing I borrowed, I do want to thank Amy, Pam, Shel, Andi, and Dave for letting me borrow something :-) And Dan, thank you for helping me get to and from the airport -- especially on the return.

Until next weekend when Nicole and I fly to Barcelona, cheers ♥