TRAVEL DAY (August 24th, 2010)

After an unexpected but amazingly blessed extra day in Eugene with family and friends full of Crossfit, photo shoots J, errands, driving practice with Kelli, dinner with the family and a beautiful night at the butte with Cassie, I was up bright and early at 4:00a.m. I was definitely tired this morning but ready to meet the up with my family and girlfriend at 4:30a.m. to go to the Eugene Airport for the beginning of this journey/new chapter I am writing in my life. Once at the Airport, it became very clear that is was a bit busier than normal.

As I waited in line, with my family, to check my bags and gather my boarding passes, it began to really start to sink in what was going on. I am MOVING far far away! I am leaving my amazing family, my beautiful girlfriend and some of the best friends in the world. After an already emotional rollercoaster over the past couple of days, it began t really sink in again. My family, my girlfriend and my friends mean the absolute world to me and I was beginning to realize the loneliness and times of sadness I would be feeling so far away. After getting my bags checked in, we made our way to the security check.

It was now time to say “goodbye”. After receiving a letter from my Dad, which I was instructed to read on the plane, I started with him. I moved from one family member to the other (Dad to Mom, Mom to Nick, Nick to Kelli and finally Kelli to Cassie). Tears of sadness and joy rolled down every ones face. I received a big long hug kiss on the neck from dad (something that does not happen very often, in fact I don’t remember the last time it did), a special moment that will be remembered for a lifetime. Words of comfort, love and wisdom were spoken from mom, which mimicked the same words spoken by her mom (my Nonny) in a conversation the phone the day prior.

A strong held hug from my brother full of tears and reminders to each other of how much we mean to each other, including words of advice/expectations from me regarding him and his upcoming year and to not give up on his dreams. A tight hug from one amazing little sister who is too pretty for her own good and has yet to realize it. Words of love filled each others ears with a few words of advice from a much older brother to his little sister who seems to be growing up so very fast. High school can be a rough time and I am so very proud of her so far and the steps she has taken.

Lastly I grabbed a hold of my beautiful girlfriend. Tears of sadness streamed down our faces full of “I Love You’”, reminders not to forget about each other, me ordering her to not let this influence her final season and year in school because I will be watching from a distance and finally me asking her to try her very best to get out to Abu Dhabi for Christmas break.. Few words were spoken because we really had no more to say for we were able to spend every last given minute before this day came together which consisted of memories, smiles and talks J. We seemed to take this time to just hold each other, although each hug I get from her is an amazing one, this one was different it was more comforting than any other one I had seemed to feel. As she and I both tightened our grip for one last squeeze, I pulled away and gave her one last kiss goodbye (a kiss that will have to last till the next time I see her).

I worked my way through security only to see them waiting at the window ready to watch me walk up the stairs. I could not hold back from breaking down again, trying to not let them see, I doubt I was successful. Waving and blowing kisses goodbye as I made my way up the stairs, I began to be more overwhelmed. This was a whole lot harder than I thought it would be. I lost visual contact with them only to feel myself turning around to get one last look at everyone, sure enough, they were all still waiting there. After reading one amazing and heartfelt letter from my dad that forced tears I didn’t know I had left to roll down my face and sleeping the whole way to Denver, I sat in the plane as it taxied. I began to check my boarding time for my next flight realizing it was going to be a close call on making it, depending on how far away I was from my gate.

As I walked into the terminal, I was informed I was at gate B90 and my next flight was boarding in 8 minutes at gate B39. I had a bit of a speed walk session ahead of me through the Denver Airport. As I made my way through the airport, I made sure to call each of my family and girlfriend to inform them on my safe travels so far. As I walked up to B39, I hear them announce section 2 was now boarding (my section). I hopped into line and made my way directly onto the plane. Took my window seat in row 10 seat J next to wonderful elderly lady (about 85 years old) from North Carolina. We hit it off right away and began talking about what I was doing, where she was going, where I was coming from, and so on. As the attendants started passing out beverages to all three cabins on this Boeing 767 United Plane, I decided to pull my laptop out and start typing. As my row partner began ordering I began to realize I was going to be assisting her throughout the flight with opening her food, turning her air on and off, keeping my peripheral vision at large on her cup of hot coffee shaking both in her hand and on the tray, hoping she was not going to spill it all over me, showing her pictures of my family and listening to her comment on how amazingly beautiful my family and girlfriend are. It brought a much needed smile to my face and reminded me of how lucky I am and how good I have it with such an amazing supporting cast in my life.

As I nibbled on my Trader Joes Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels and sipped on my can of Sprite (on the rocks) I began to just think and pray about what was ahead of me. I had not had much time to just sit alone with the Lord and pray and needed to do so. He had opened such an amazing door for me to walk through for a reason; a reason I am unsure of yet but know will become very clear, very soon. I wanted to pray over my family and girlfriend as well, for this was not going to be easy for them either. At least they have each other a phone call, arms reach away! God has a plan for everyone; he has a plan for me. This was in his plan and I need to have faith that it will all work out for the best with a happy ending. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Hebrews 11 By Faith. By faith we must take each step in our life knowing God is in control and has our best interest in mind and without faith, I would have nothing but fear. For that, I am thankful for that, I am reassured why I give control of my life to the Lord.

After landing in Chicago International Airport (AKA THE BIGGEST AIRPORT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN), feeling lost, I made my way to the customer service desk to see if United Airlines was taking care of transporting my luggage to Etihad Airways for me or if I was responsible for the switch. Thankfully, the good people at United Airlines took care of me and sent me on my way to the correct terminal for my flight that is only 6HOURS away hahaha! I decided to man up and pay the seven dollars for Internet access while I was here so I could have something to do and contact a few people via skype and email wise. For now, I wait and I wander till it is time to board again. I must get in my last goodbyes and I Love You’ before leaving the country, for you never know what could happen and don’t want any regrets, but I know I am in His hands and am safe. Until I reach Abu Dhabi and have settled enough to post a new blog, it is ta ta for now and will talk to you all very soon. For now, it is talk to you later. Thank you for all of your support and prayers, KEEP THEM COMING, they are greatly appreciated! A&F