We are all responsible for our little portion of the vineyard. At different times in my life, I have been responsible for large sections and at other times, I have literally focused my attention on one branch; because that's all I can do. In 2016, I'm closer to the branch than to the large section, but I'm often reminded that
by small and simple things are great things brought to pass
-Alma 37:6-7
So, what small and simple things am I working on in my corner of the vineyard? Truthfully, lots of things.... which means I am probably doing them all in a mediocre fashion and I should look to simplify yet some more. I have had lots of opportunities to serve and be served in 2016. If I'm going to pick one thing from December 1, 2016, I pick driving Matt to the airport. Seriously folks, I have really done a lot of service this week, but Thursday just happened to be one of those blissful days that outside of a few time commitments, I was able to take the day as it came; which meant that I did what I had to, a little of what I wanted to, and went to bed early. See what I mean? Blissful.
Back to my role as Matt's shuttle service. When Matt went on his first business trip in 2000, it was a different time. You could still walk your loved ones to the gate and travel was decidedly less stressful. Matt's very first business trip was to Bakersfield, California (on Southwest I think) for a safety conference of some sort. I honestly can't even remember.... I just remember that Erin was a baby and we had one of those huge strollers that you attached the car seat to. I remember because this was a time that he took off from a "B Gate" which requires stairs and long walks.... and I did it all with a stroller. But.... I was so proud of him. I grew up with a dad who traveled for business, and there is something (or WAS something) that felt very glamorous about Matt traveling for work; like he was a real grown-up. Fast forward to now and he's flown over a million miles and been on a lot of planes... but this first time was pretty magical for both of us.
Anyway, in 2001, the United States suffered the infamous 9/11 terror attacks and air travel changed forever. Over the last decade or so, things have changed by degrees so that the travel experience we have now is wholly different from the ones I had as a kid. Air travel can be a pain; and Matt does it A LOT.
When the girls were little, we nearly always drove him to the airport and picked him up when he returned. That was part location, part schedule and part one-car. Over the years, we have become quite adept at the dropping off and picking up (although those guys in the yellow vests need to seriously be taught how to direct traffic.) But I digress.
In 2016, life is busy. Not just my life, but the lives that I manage. I am constantly trying to schedule my time so that everyone is where they need to be, when they need to be there. Erin getting her drivers license this year has lifted some of that burden, but there are still a lot of moving parts in my life. Now, instead of simply being a wife and SAHM of young children, it seems as though I live life in hyperdrive. When Matt travels now, whether or not I take him to the airport depends on what time he leaves (before 7:00 a.m. and you can forget about it); when he gets home (much past 10:00 p.m. and I'm asleep) and/or what else I may have going on at any given moment.
In all of this, Matt's actual travel routine has changed very little since 2001. There are countless hoops to jump through and the airlines keep upping the ante with luggage charges, multiple coach fares, fewer upgrades, fewer flights, crowded planes, $12 smushy sandwiches and aging aircraft (and flight attendants.) Catching a flight requires planning and prompt execution of said plans. And Matt is often trying to fit two more things in than he has time to. He is ALWAYS working on something. Despite the fact that it is a great character trait, it also leaves him sprinting to the gate sometimes. In fact, his boss calls him the Jammy Dodger, which in addition to being a yummy English cookie, is defined as someone who is very, very lucky. Matt rarely misses flights, has almost never cancelled a trip because of poor planning and with the exception of a few close calls, generally manages the travel experience effortlessly. We'll not talk about the camcorder in Long Beach or the iPad at Newark.... or the phone multiple times (at home, in Orlando, etc..)
Why have I shared all of this? Well, for one, so you know that although Matt really likes his job, frequent travel can be a bit of a grind. And it is lonely; especially when he has to drive himself to the airport. He has to allow time to park, catch a shuttle, check his bags, get through security and go potty.... all before he can board the plane. Taking him to the airport eliminates several of these steps and also allows him to arrive closer to his departure time, and often less-stressed. The time from our house to the airport allows us to talk about what he's going to do, who he's meeting with and lots of other thoughts. Taking time out of my day to drop him off (hopefully) helps him to feel like he is a priority in my life. Taking Matt to the airport is something I do to show him that I appreciate the things he does for our family. From time to time I find myself traveling frequently (like this year) and it is exhausting. I'm grateful that he is willing to keep at it, to do his best and to try and be happy about it. That being said, I'm 99% positive that before he retires I will get at least one phone call from the TSA explaining that my husband has been detained for willfully trying to smuggle a tube of chapstick on the plane. Just kidding.... it will be because he picked a fight with the agent who took said-chapstick.
Anyway, Day 1 of #LightTheWorld was taking Matt to the airport and hopefully lifting a couple of his burdens. I am reminded of a proverb quoted by Linda K. Burton:
"Thee lift me and I'll lift thee and we'll ascend together."
I am so grateful that I have someone to lift and who in turn, lifts me up as well.
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