My Meltdown at LAX

Much of what you’ll read in this post will not seem possible. You will stop and say “Nah, no way that happened.” Right out of the gate I’m telling you it’s all true, every single bit. And I totally get it, because I’d be like, “No way, I’m not buying this.”

So, you can believe it, or not, but I know I lived it.

It was a hot summer morning and I leisurely went about my morning routine while my husband slept in. I felt like I had plenty of time to just kick it even though I would be catching a 12:19 p.m. flight. Totally chill, I ate breakfast, drank my coffee, had my devotional time, read, and had a long conversation with my daughter on the phone.

The night before Mike calculated that we needed to leave at 10:15 a.m. I felt like I had plenty of time. Until… Mike got up at 9:30 a.m. and said traffic was way worse than we had anticipated. I showered and pulled myself together as fast as I could and with wet hair climbed in the car after we packed in my suitcases.

We turned the corner and came to a stop.

The two roads that headed out of our community—one via freeway and the other a side road—both had construction work being done. We were barely moving. After 30 minutes of barely moving I text my daughter and son-in-law and asked them to pray. Kyle was ahead of us in the same traffic and he let us know that it was even worse than we had suspected. My daughter texted, “Sorry Mom” after looking up how long our drive would take to the airport.

I announced, “I’m going to miss my flight.”

With a boarding time of 11:39 a.m., as my gut churned my first instinct was to start yelling at my husband.

Yelling seemed like a really viable option to release the churning which was now consuming my body. I sat quietly while I contemplated completely unloading on him.

But how could I? He was helping me and wanted the best for me and was doing all he could to get me to my plane on time.

It was my fault we didn’t leave sooner…

I do my best to never sit in airports for long periods of time so I usually cut it a bit close. He’s often suggested that I change this “policy” of mine but I never took him serious. So, to yell at him would have been unwise and unfruitful and I would have ended up with serious muck on my face.

What I said was, “It’s okay, it’s not your fault. The traffic is never bad at this time.”

Mike kept saying, “I’m sorry, honey.”

I decided, “I’m getting there no matter what! I’ll just get another flight if I have to.”

I had a grandson waiting for me and it may cost me, but I was getting on a plane.  

I called the airlines to see what options I’d have if I did miss my flight, which seemed inevitable. As it turned out for a nominal fee (and that was a bit of sarcasm) I could transfer my ticket. This mistake was going to cost me, but I wasn’t giving up just yet.

By 11:39 a.m. (boarding time) I was still in the car.

Finally, when we arrived at the fork in the road at the airport where you choose departing or arriving flights, the departing lanes were completely stopped, so hubby crossed over to the arriving lane.

I needed to get to Terminal 3 and after passing Terminal 1 traffic stopped. We decided my best shot was to go the rest of the way on foot. After kissing hubby I jumped out of the car, grabbed my two suitcases and a large pink carry-on and took off like a hog on slaughter day. Frantically running in the heat of the summer and pulling my suitcases I tried hard not to hit anyone but I didn’t look back to check as I ran…

In my heals, with my wild hair, out of breath, and with my heart beating out of control, I finally got to Terminal 3. I asked the agent at the door which was the quickest was to get to the upper level and she pointed to the elevator. Hurrying to get on once the doors to the elevator finally opened the lady in front of me turned around and gave me one of the dirtiest looks I’ve ever seen.

I said, “I’m so sorry but my flight is boarding now and I’m really trying to make my flight.” The agent who was exiting the elevator helping someone in a wheelchair paused to say, “Honey, you’re not gonna make it. You gotta check those bags.”

As the elevator door closed I said, “Well, I’m still gonna try.”

As I got in the line to check in my bags there was a man walking in front of me and I said, “Sir, my flight is boarding right now, would you mind if I went in front of you?” He was happy to let me go first. I let the agent know my flight was boarding and asked if we could check the bags as quickly as possible. He was happy to comply. Once checked in, I asked him which way was the quickest to security. He pointed right and said, “Lady, that’s the only way.”

With a lighter load I was moving a bit faster and as I approached the security line I let the security agent know my flight was boarding and if they’d help me get through quickly. She pointed to the shortest line. Once I got in the line I asked the people in front of me if I could move ahead because my flight was boarding.

Every single person stepped aside and let me pass. UNBELIEABLE! At this point I began to have a total meltdown because I was totally overcome by the kindness of these strangers who all gladly stepped aside and let me pass.

I could no longer hold it together and tears began to roll down my cheeks.

Then an agent approached. Oh no busted!   

“Ma’am, can I see your boarding pass? I handed it to him. “Ma’am, calm down, you’re fine. You will make your flight. Take a deep breath. Breathe. You’re okay.” (It’s okay if you laugh at me here.)

GOD SENT AN ANGEL disguised as a TSA agent!

I grabbed his shoulder, squeezed and said, “Thank you, thank you so much.” Then the guy in front of me yielded and showed me to the shortest line to the conveyor belt to put my shoes and bag on. I got through security and had a pretty good walk to my gate but I was still hurrying. After finding my gate I saw people everywhere and at first glance I thought I had indeed missed my plane.

I hustled up to the counter and showed the agent my boarding pass. “Have I missed my flight?” He looked at me with a puzzled look most likely thinking, Chillax lady! and said, “We haven’t began boarding yet.”

I MADE IT!!!

I was seated in my seat, on the plane, headed to see my grandson by 12:05 p.m. filled with a grateful heart for the kindness of strangers.

And exceedingly happy I didn’t yell at my husband.

Never give up.

Be kind to others. (You never know what they’re going through.)

Note to shelf: You really need to get back to working out. AND always choose to NOT yell at our husband when the option presents itself.

Fondly,

Lu

Want a marriage that stays spicy through all the ups and downs of life? Order “The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes” by Lucille Williams. Know someone who’s getting marriage Lucille’s book “From Me to We” will start every marriage off right. Subscribe to LuSays today for fun life and love stories and encouragement.