My daughter and I discussed Christmas plans in November. Usually I drive down in a rental car, but she was concerned about the fatigue I experience after the long drive. She checked the cost and discovered that I could fly cheaper this year than rent a car. I was surprised. After consideration of the differences in driving versus flying, I agreed to the flight. She covered the cost of Chicago to Memphis non-stop round trip, and I decided to pay extra to fly from South Bend to Chicago. This would be my first time flying in 49 years. I was not familiar with Chicago or the O’Hare airport, and I believed it would be easier to change planes there rather than driving and parking in Chicago.
I had worked through the day prior to my flight on 12/21 without any problems. I had not had any physical issues affecting my activities of daily living prior to that Wednesday. I drove to South Bend and parked in the long-term lot. I then rolled my suitcase and carry-on bag to the entrance and found my way to the United desk. I was limping by the time I reached the line to clear security. Once I reached the appropriate gate, I was in extreme pain when I put weight on my leg and the limping was significant. What in the world was going on? I had not fallen or suffered any recent injury and could not understand what had triggered this pain. The airline employee at the gate desk noticed my limping and called for a wheelchair. He told me there was no need to try to be a hero when I obviously needed help and they would push me to the plane. I was reluctant to admit I needed help, but I did not know if I could limp my way to board at that point and was thankful for the assistance.
Once on board, I began praying about my leg and inability to ambulate normally without pain. This was a short flight to Chicago, and I spent the time in prayer. When we landed, the airline already had a wheelchair reserved for me and an attendant was waiting when I limped off the plane. He was friendly and very efficient. We moved at a rapid pace through large crowds of people. This airport was the size of a city, and I was looking around in awe and dismay. I would never have found my way to the connecting terminal for the flight to Memphis without this gentleman. He was very kind. He directed me to an area where the airport was giving away goodie bags for Christmas and then he waited while I hobbled into the restroom before boarding. I sat in the gate waiting room for the flight to Memphis in deep thought. I had not communicated with my daughter about my leg and worried about how this was going to affect my visit with the family.
I spent most of the flight time to Memphis again in prayer. This was a larger plane, and the ride was different. We taxied at least 20 minutes. It seemed we were taking a scenic tour of the airport as we crisscrossed over runways. We would speed up and then slow down. We came to an abrupt stop and then started moving again, speeding up, then slowing down again. I wondered if this was how all airports function. Finally, we took off and the flight was pleasant and uneventful, filled with prayer because of the increased apprehension about my leg and my family’s reaction.
We landed in Memphis and again a wheelchair was waiting for my departure from the plane. An attendant pushed me to the baggage claim area where my daughter and grandson were waiting. She had been tracking my flight and knew when I would arrive. She was very surprised at the wheelchair and my inability to walk normally. I had difficulty getting into her vehicle. I could not explain how or why the pain in my leg had started that morning and I questioned whether I should have traveled or just stayed in Indiana.
The original plan was for me to stay in the extra room upstairs, but since I could not walk well enough to climb the steps, she cleared out her craft room instead. Guilt and regret washed over me as my daughter and son-in-law rearranged the tables in the room and moved the new air mattress downstairs and set it up again. I was very concerned at this point about Christmas gifts. I had planned to go shopping over the next two days, since my daughter had to work, and I would take my grandson with me. I was going to drive their extra vehicle to shop. Now I was not physically able to do any shopping and I had no gifts for my daughter or son-in-law. I had been looking forward to getting out and about since Memphis has many more stores to browse. I love shopping for gifts and finding special things, wrapping the gifts in anticipation of the surprise of the recipients. There was none of that this Christmas. I was embarrassed and ashamed.
Miranda was very concerned about my inability to walk and on Thursday, while she was at work, my son-in-law took me to a local ER for evaluation. Because I had traveled by plane, an ultrasound was ordered to rule out a blood clot. They scanned my entire leg and thankfully this was negative. X-rays revealed no bony abnormality. After examination, they gave a diagnosis of a knee sprain. I was given Voltaren gel and discharge instructions. I still could not walk normally and limped every step.
My daughter always does extra in everything she does, and she takes care of all details. I was uncomfortable with this upside-down situation where I was unable to do what I had planned. There were many presents under the tree with my name on them and I only had gifts for my grandson that had been mailed a week prior to my visit. Miranda was gracious and assured me that they were not disappointed. But I was deeply upset, not understanding this unexpected change in plans. We spent the first evening for a while in her craft room while she worked on some shirts. I loved our conversation and the fun of being with her. She had made special t-shirts for me earlier in the year, and I was admiring her work and ideas for future projects.
Miranda is a wonderful cook and there was plenty of good food to enjoy together. I loved interacting with my grandson and being with my family, watching a movie or playing a game or just talking and eating! But I was preoccupied at the same time with guilt. My daughter had made special shirts for her and her husband and my grandson to wear at dinner on Christmas Eve. I did not even think to take a picture of them though I did compliment the shirts and her creativity. She also wore some fun Christmas pajamas the next day and again I failed to snap a picture. The heaviness in my heart was interfering.
On Christmas Day I could walk without pain or an exaggerated limp. I had continued to pray about my leg since arriving in Memphis, without any change, until this day. It was too late to shop for gifts at this point. Bittersweet. My daughter, grandson, and I went shopping for after Christmas deals and I was able to walk without assistance. We visited some family for dinner at their home. We had a nice evening, and I was thankful to be able to walk normally without pain.
My daughter and grandson drove me to the airport on Wednesday for my return flights to Indiana. The airline apparently had made a note about wheelchair assistance, because when I checked my baggage, a wheelchair was available to take me to the appropriate gate. We had enjoyed a meal together before arriving at the airport, and I couldn’t help but compare how topsy-turvy our time had started versus now that I was leaving. It seemed out of order.
The plane was late arriving in Memphis that was to fly to Chicago. Apparently, it was coming from Chicago and had been late leaving that city. We boarded about an hour later and started moving across the runways. Memphis is a much smaller airport in comparison to O-Hare, but again we taxied and then the pilot announced an ATC delay of 15 minutes. So, we sat unmoving on the runway. I stayed in prayer. The young man seated next to me appeared to be nervous. He was gripping the back of the seat in front of him and shifting in his seat. Prayers were lifted for him and the other passengers on the plane. There were young children who were engaging appropriately with their parents, until we were told to raise the tray tables and secure them in place. This triggered a desperate scream followed by crying from a young child whose mother was trying to reason with him in conversation. More prayers. When we arrived in Chicago, we were delayed in unloading, leaving only 5 minutes to connect with the flight to South Bend. By the grace of God, I made it. We just happened to be at the same terminal, only five gates apart, and I was able to board. I was told if I missed that flight, there would not be another plane to South Bend until tomorrow. No time for a restroom break. The quick flight was uneventful, and we landed without any problems. I gathered my luggage and made my way to the long-term parking lot.
I remembered the general area where I had parked a week ago, as I searched for my vehicle. Snow remained on the ground from the brutal cold weather during the prior week while I was out of town. I tried pushing the red button on my key fob but there was no sound. Finally, I spotted the reindeer antlers on my vehicle. There was no response when I clicked to unlock the doors. After loading my luggage, I got in and tried to start the engine. Totally dead. No click or blink of lights, nothing. At this point I really wanted to scream and cry like the toddler on the plane. Surely there would not be another delay in getting back to Goshen.
The weather was cold and windy, and night had fallen. I walked back into the airport to call my insurance company for roadside assistance. ETA was estimated at 40-70 minutes. Prayers were lifted, and within 15 minutes I received a call from a provider who had just arrived at the airport. Relief and gratitude flooded through me. I talked to the man on the phone, and we met in the parking lot. Unbelievably I had difficulty remembering where I had found my car only 30 minutes ago. I knew the general area but not the row. I was overwhelmed and exhausted at this point. We talked as we walked until I noticed the reindeer antlers once again. He used a portable battery pack that promptly started the vehicle. I thanked God for this man and his quick arrival and service. I prayed for blessings over him and his future. I paid my ticket at the lot exit and headed for the highway to Goshen.
God had taken care of me and my needs at each airport. He had given me safe travel through every plane change. He had lifted/healed the pain and inability to ambulate after a few days in Memphis. He had taken care of my vehicle and provided quick support for the battery charge. The drive back to Goshen was filled with tearful prayers and questions. I did not receive all the answers. I was reminded that God does not promise a trouble-free life, only that He will be with us through the troubles. Sometimes God interrupts our plans for His purpose and does not explain the reason. I trust God to continue to take care of me and to guide my steps ahead. I prayed blessings over my family and gave thanks for the time I was able to spend with them. I asked for His blessings to replace the gifts I was unable to give my family.