When
I travel alone, I write. I suppose that should be a relief to the passengers
beside me; more writing, less talking. Less talking, somehow still joyful. “Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Wednesday,
October 22nd 6:05 a.m. - I don’t think I’ve ever flown into
a sunrise before.
The
clouds look like a dark ocean beneath me. Minutes pass and they the look more
like gray bellowing smoke. A pink glow sits just beneath certain clouds like
magical ponds of water reflecting a radiant light up through the haze. Some
clouds build upwards and look like tidal waves; suspended in time, never
falling and crashing, as if frozen, glacier-like walls of water.
A
very light gray wispy line of clouds much higher than the rest passes beneath
us, as if we crossed a heavenly goal line.
In
time, the clouds seem closer and create the illusion we’re flying over a
massive ice continent. The darkness is somehow illuminated, though the sun has
not yet pierced the horizon. There’s a magic surrounding us as we fly into the
sunrise. Every picture I take disappoints me, none doing this breathtaking view
justice at all.
This
can’t even be how earth looked in the first verses of Genesis. Below me is a
gleaming mass of clouds, swimming over a shapeless planet, but as the Bible opens,
even clouds and sunshine weren’t yet spoken into existence.
Can
clouds freeze? They’re collections of moisture, right? What causes the glowing
pink pockets that show up sporadically?
The
brilliance of the sunlight peeking over the distant clouds of the horizon
causes my heart to beat in my throat, as if the clouds are on fire! A rainbow
of colors blend together as the life-giving orb rises above the clouds. My
hands are clutched to my chest and I almost forget to breathe. And now – it’s
daylight! Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory to God in the highest!
Surely
the kind man beside me thinks I’m a little simple in the head as I keep
interrupting him to show off the amazing display outside my window. He smiles
as if I’m not bothering him.
I
wish you could see the fancy rainbows on the wall beside me, dancing as I move
the rings on my hands. The only light they’re reflecting is the sunlight
through my window.
The
sky below me looks like a sea of glass, could this have been what John saw
amidst his revelation? He, too, was lifted up (though I doubt in an airplane). The
hazy soft glow now washing over the clouds makes me feel like I’m watching God’s
Spirit hover over the earth.
A
week later, October 29th 6:11 p.m. - The site of the top side of the
clouds always delights me. I can extract all sorts of things from it. I’m on an
adventure; a slightly out of the ordinary leg of my journey through life in the
flesh – one taking place 38,000+ feet in the air. I’m breaking from my everyday
routine. I’m seeing people I’ve never seen before and will likely never see
again. I’ll endure frustrations (the loud child behind me) and welcome
blessings (my java chip frappachino). I’ll see things I’ll seal into my
memories and forget more than I realize I see. Most likely, I’ll never be in
this exact spot again.
While
traveling, I’m transformed from my daily tasks, which seems like a break from
reality. I’ll observe behaviors and manners of dress I generally only see on
television. I may try new foods or drink. I’ll most definitely formulate questions
I wouldn’t have come across in my own car or at my own kitchen table. Yes, the
top side of clouds indicate an exciting change; a portal to something new.
At
first glance, I knew the passenger to my left is a man. But, the first class
flight attendant takes me a few minutes to settle in my mind that yes, he, too,
is a man. His accent is peculiar as he snatches our attention with his handheld
microphone. Our pilot is chipper and much chattier than your usual pilot as he
informs us we’ll be arriving in Dallas early. He’s using words like “glorious”
to describe the evening.
The
interactive map on the seat back in front of me is crazy cool! I can explore
the whole world from any angle.
Even
for my petite height there’s barely enough leg room to be comfortable. My left
hip is complaining and the right side of my back and rib cage remind me of the
abuse they took this morning when I hoisted my suitcase into the rental car
trunk, a task my husband generally takes care of. I’ll need a muscle relaxer
tonight.
Why
do I think you’d care to read this? I don’t. I just need to write it.
I’d
love to bother the man in the aisle seat so I could scurry back to the ladies
room. But, I’ll wait. He’s sleeping already. Plus, I wouldn’t want to miss the
opportunity to get my half a can of soda! Maybe I’ll be assertive and ask for
the whole can. Maybe they’ll just be in a generous mood and give it before I
ask.
Blessing:
the two pretty (yes, female) flight attendants back here tending to the
commoners are smiling! First class isn’t so lucky.
 |
| (picture from noliesplace.com) |
In
Ohio, I barely needed moisturizer. Back home in Colorado my skin will suck it
up like I drink water, that’ll be one readjustment. I’ll take a day or two to
re-acclimate to the altitude, not quite as long to slide back into the feel of
mountain time.
 |
| (Have I mentioned I love this picture?) |
I’m
totally looking forward to Dave’s huge arms wrapping me into his warm embrace.
Funny, my eyes tear up at the thought. I’ve missed him so much!
I
shared some of my daughter Sandee’s Paparazzi jewelry with family, a waitress
and a dance instructor while in Ohio – but where did I tuck away her business
cards? Some sales woman I am… (Her site? www.fivedollarfabulous.com)
Yes!
I got a whole can of diet Coke! I know, I should have asked for a bottle of water. And yes, I already had one in my carry on.
I
was a little disappointed over not getting to hook up with a few old friends as
I’d hoped to. Oh well, next trip. Perhaps I need to go “back home” more often.
I
think in upcoming days I’ll Google information on cloud formations.
Specifically, why do they form the way they do?
This
is a two hour flight. Surely you won’t wade through my every thought with me. I’ll
put my notebook away for a while. Sky Mall, here I come!
…Last
week I flew into the sunrise; the dawn of day. Tonight, I fly into the sunset!
It looks as though someone took a fat pink marker and highlighted the horizon;
orange and yellows bleed into the sky as its bluish hues have turned gray.
It’s
-49 degrees outside at 36,000 feet up. Yowza! How does ice not form on the wings?
I’ve
never had such extreme ear pressure as in this descent into Dallas. No wonder
the babies are howling.
I’ve
discovered some crazy cool features of the interactive map, such as the view
from the cock pit. We’ll be landing almost a half an hour ahead of schedule.
That rocks! AND my connecting gate is right next to where we’ll pull in, time
to stretch out.
The
skies are growing darker blue with that beautiful dark pink glow on the horizon;
lights galore below.
My
connecting flight from Dallas to Colorado Springs allowed me no time to write,
the man sitting next to me was more than accommodating with his words. Now I
know what it’s like to sit next to me! It’s wonderful!
 |
| (picture from wifiministries.org) |
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) Thank God you’re not trapped in my head with the
myriad of thoughts that constantly swirl and fight for attention. Just kidding,
it can be rather fun in here.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: again I
say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
 |
| (picture from frankdamazio.com) |
"To everything there is a season, and a
time to every purpose under the heaven:” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) It’s
always a season for rejoicing.
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