The Secret Flight

A couple weeks ago, Larry called. "I have an idea. Let's fly you out here as a surprise for Ria's birthday."

"I'd love to be there," I said, knowing that 30 is a milestone year. Any birthday ending in 0 or 5 is an important year, a milestone year. I wanted to be there.

Larry arranged for the tickets, and I prepared for a trip while trying not to tip off my trip to the birthday girl. When we talked, I got off the phone quickly so I wouldn't trip up and give it away.

On Thursday morning, I headed toward Vegas. The plane didn't leave until 5:30 on Friday morning, but I had to do my online teaching job. I also wanted to sit outside at a cafe. If I could do my online work and get sunshine at the same time, I would be one happy camper.

I ended up at the Starbucks in Boulder City, the one that overlooks the art deco welcome gate to the city. Sipping on passion fruit iced tea in the strong sunlight, I got to work. With about 50 papers to grade until I was done for the week, I had to plunge into my work. The sun was too hot, so I moved into the dappled light.

Why am I telling you this? First, it's because I like the word dappled. More so, I share this because this picture sums up my afternoon. If only every afternoon could be this perfect: sitting in the dappled sunlight sipping an iced tea, while being gainfully employed and on my way for a little vacation to see my family. What could be better?

For several hours, I sat in this spot until the warmth of afternoon started to wane. Then, I made my way into Vegas, trying to determine where to van camp tonight.

Camping in a city is always tricky because of the traffic, noise, and lights. It also requires an element of safety. You can't just park anywhere. And what if you have to use the bathroom? And what if you still have more grading to do because you really want to spend time with your family this weekend? Where do you park that affords you some amenities?

I have a few spots around Vegas that offer all that. I tried a spot I'd been considering, but it required a little parking fee. I was okay with that. I could still be stealth, but I'd be safe...and have amenities. With the van as my base, I took the computer and my purse-purse with me to the hotel lobby where I got a warm tea, sat at a tall table, and graded more papers. Travelers with luggage and casino players and workers milled about. It was a busy hallway, but I sunk into the work, making more progress toward free time in St. Louis.

The next morning, I arrived at the airport around four, parked, and did the TSA thing. Somehow, I got on the flight with both my keyring-pocket-knives-that-I'd-forgotten-to-leave-in-the-car still in my possession. It actually made me a little on edge because TSA has this new screening device where you don't have to remove things from your bags. It was actually quicker and simpler, but I got through with my pocket knives. Something isn't right.

On the flight out to St. Louis, I sat next two a couple from Peoria, Illinois. We talked a little bit. Then, the flight attendant offered to let me move up from seat 8F to seat 6F because there was more space available on the plane. It was nice having the whole bench to myself.

While in flight, I decided to clean my purse-purse. This is a smaller purse carried inside a backpack purse. The benefit of this is the additional pockets and organizational space and the option to downsize to the small purse over the weekend or upsize to the backpack in case we go hiking. It's a win-win solution for any possibility.

No one needs seven lip balms in her purse, especially when she knows she also has a couple of lip balms in her suitcase.

Later in the afternoon, Laurel drove in from Kansas City. She showed up at Larry's house, which is where I was staying. She went over to spend time with Victoria and be the delay tactic we might need if we didn't get to the restaurant first. We wanted to surprise Victoria for her birthday with my being there.

Only...they seated us next to a ginormous window in the dining room. The window looked out on--you guessed it!--the parking lot. With Larry eyeballing the maps app to check their location, I watched the lot. "They're here!" he announced. Car headlights showed a vehicle turning into the lot, I stood up and walked toward the part of the restaurant obscured from window view. When it was safe, I returned to my seat.

Ria came into the room and said, "Hi, Dad!" She took a few steps toward him before suddenly realizing I was there. She ran to me. We hugged and cried. Birthday surprise = success!

While I'm not going to detail every part of the trip, I will say that spending time with family, belonging, is a good thing. Embrace your family every chance you get. The time passes so quickly. Love the time you have with others.