It's for real

July 22^{nd, 2013}

What an emotional weekend. My girlfriend from High School, who is a flight attendant, arrived on Friday night. Having her here, speaking French with her, talking about the hikes we are going to take together in Switzerland, made me feel excited… Did you know that I hadn't seen her or been in touch with her for many years (like 19 years), and then reconnected with her through Facebook, then in person, since she travels  my way once in a while, and it felt like we had never parted? But I digress...

 I went from grief and sadness to joy and excitement, to grief and sadness again, after our good bye party on Saturday. When everyone was gone, I sat down and read all the cards friends gave me, and cried. So many meaningful relationships, such dear friends, such kind and touching words… To hear what I mean to people, to ponder on our ties, to bring both worlds together, by introducing Caroline to all my friends here, and to feel torn between that friendship that goes way back, and the newer ones of the last few years, both so good, both deep… what a roller coaster!

This weekend was also amazing because Caroline has initially booked K1’s flight before her schedule was set. She then requested to be on his flight, and due to a computer glitch, she got the flight the day before his. She tried to change it but couldn’t. So she came to LA to pick some of our suitcases, and connected us to her colleague who was going to be in the airplane with K1. But once in LA, she decided to try and change K1’s flight instead of hers, and requested for him to be in her plane. And it worked!

Have you ever sent your child on an airplane across a continent and an ocean without you? It’s scary. The thought of my child floating up in the air, so far away from me, makes me feel so powerless. Aaah, the beauty of surrendering. Seems to be the season for that. Well, let me just say that knowing that Caroline was in that plane with him made all the difference. It was such a relief, such a balm on my grieving and overly emotional heart.

At the check in, Caroline was able to make a few more little miracles happen that were true gifts in this stressful process. When we left K1, he had just met the crew and as I turned around to wave good bye one more time, I saw him shaking the captain’s hand… and felt so proud of my boy, flying all alone to Switzerland, leaving it all behind and embracing this adventure. May I be as brave as him…