Thursday, August 11, 2011

Stressed Spelled Backwards

While Nathaniel and I sat in the Colorado airport last Tuesday night after the first leg of our trip back to California for Kourtney's wedding, we started visiting with the other travelers in the terminal. We didn't expect that our casual visiting would soon lead to a small adventure.

Cookie from our hotel. Yum.




We made friends with Judy, a hairstylist from Sacramento, who was flying back from DC. She looked a little frazzled and worn out from a day of traveling, as most travelers do, and when we discovered that our 10 PM flight was cancelled her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Judy looked stressed, and was quick to admit she wasn't a seasoned traveler. After making annoyed statements at the intercom announcement like "you've got to be kidding to me," we picked ourselves up to find the customer service desk. Judy quickly proclaimed us, "the ones who seem to know what they're doing" as her friends.

As the three of us stood in line waiting to discover what the rest of our night would hold, Nathaniel and I cracked jokes in an effort to lighten the mood for poor Judy. She would start fidgeting, pulling at her clothes, and her eyes would being to water again, when one of us would remind her what my mother always reminded me: if you can do something about it, don't worry about it. If you can't do something about it -- don't worry about it.

Every time Judy would take a deep breath and shake the stress out, cracking a joke about us level-headed kids. Before long we were given tickets for the next morning's flight, and a voucher for a meal and a night's stay at a hotel.

We all rode the shuttle to our hotel, free of luggage, including contact solution, new underwear, and our own toothbrushes. But when we got there we were greeted with smiles, and a warm chocolate chip cookie.

The wrapper on the cookies said, "Stressed spelled backwards is desserts." Simple proof that even a not-so-good situation can be made sweet with the right attitude.

Always,

7 comments:

Yvonne said...

That is awesome!

Twad'dler said...

This post has just made my morning! What a great little story to start my day

Hannah said...

Thank you, thank you!!

Sherms said...

Wow! What airline were you flying with? Most airlines just leave you standed. How nice of you both to take her under your wing and reassure her. BTW, I love your moms phrase xx

Hannah said...

We were on United. They were super nice. I think they gave us a hotel because 1. It was late, and 2. There were a TON of us. I don't think they wanted all us clogging up the airport, haha!

And I know...my mom is a GENIUS.

Jacqueline Paris said...

What a great post! I have soooo many horror stories about traveling- I will have to try harder to keep that in mind "If you can do something about it, worry about it, if not, don't worry about it!" Perfect for dealing with air travel!!!!
Looking forward to our blog swap:) http://jacquelineparis.wordpress.com/

Hannah said...

It's definitely a great saying to always keep in mind! And I officially decided every time I get on a plane I will always keep contact solution and a fresh pair of underwear with me!

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