Journal of Sacred Work

Yesterday I headed home after visiting my son and grandchildren who live in South Dakota.  As I traversed the highway toward the airport in Omaha Nebraska, I passed farm after farm I was struck by the simple beauty of springs greening fields intertwined with a mix of the golden Iowa landscape. Listening to music as the miles passed, I felt a sense of peace and gratitude.

As I approached Nebraska the sky was darkening and an emergency public service alarm warned sent out a tornado warning. Up ahead the sky looked ominous as the warning indicated “proceed with caution.” Suddenly, torrential rain began pouring down from the sky making visibility very challenging. I noticed some cars were pulling over to the side of the road. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long before the rain eased up and I continued on driving slow and cautiously.

Two hours later, I neared my destination with ample cushioning built into my timeline. I stopped at a gas station close to the airport. A man who was about to leave the station said, “If you are in a hurry you need to know that the gas pumps are flowing incredibly slowly.” I was not concerned as I only needed a quarter of a tank of gas to fill it. Boy he was not kidding. After a half hour I only had 3 gallons added to the gas tank. I decided to head out when another torrential rainstorm began. I was afraid to drive through another torrent and decided to wait hoping it would soon subside. As the time ticked away, I began to worry about getting to the airport on time. I left the station with only a few miles to go. An emergency service flash flood warning came on advising avoidance of driving.  

The streets were flooding quickly, suddenly my rental car stalled as I drove through water. I was in the middle of the road and stuck. It was a frightening experience. Cars were going around the car dousing the car with water.

What to do? Don’t panic. Okay call 911. After what seemed like an eternity (45 min) a cop car drove up the storm had passed and it was raining lightly. I had also called AAA roadside service and was waiting for a tow. Jess, the young woman officer, offered to wait with me. She was parked behind my car and I felt much safer. Finally, Jason, the tow truck driver arrived. Jess said, “Give Jason the keys and he will return the vehicle and I will drive you to the airport.” Really, thank you.”?

The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me.

Jess said, “things always have a way of working out.” As we arrived at the airport the entire facility was under construction and the walkways were blocked off. I expressed my deep appreciation to Jess and began running looking for the one walkway, unsuccessfully. Then I looked up and noticed a sky walk and ran back to access it via an elevator. Time was really running short. I hoped off the elevator but the terminal was not the right one. A worker with a yellow vest was heading toward the elevator, visibly shaking, I asked if he could direct me. He responded, “I can get you there.” And we both started running. We got to the right portal by taking a left turn and he said “now just go straight ahead to the end.” Oh, thank you! Thank you! Five min before takeoff. I move quickly through the TSA precheck line when the attendant who scanned my suitcase thought it looked suspicious and needed to be checked. (Or perhaps, I looked suspicious as I was so tremulous.)

“Please, please I am going to miss my flight!” Can you call the gate and let them know I am coming. No response. “We have to check that coffee.” He said seemingly unconcerned.  “Here please take the coffee, you can have it! Please I need to catch me flight!”  “We have to test it mam.”  Finally, all clear again, running to the gate, and the last to board!

Catching this flight seemed nothing short of a miracle and I have to thank the kindness of strangers who went an extra mile to offer me assistance.

Liz Sorensen Wessel
Watercolor by ~liz

P.S. When I arrived in LA, I waited for my younger son and family’s flight to arrive from their Easter week excursion. The plan was to travel home together. They arrived safe and as we proceeded to leave, we had another wild encounter that caused our hearts to pound out of our chests, reminding me of Mr. Toads wild ride in one of my favorite books, “The Wind in the Willows. Ah, but that is a story for another time! LOL!