Another holiday drama

I'm hoping this doesn't continue. I'm seeing a trend here...crying on holidays.

My 4th of July sucked. It didn't start out that bad...and of course there are people whose day was far worse than mine (I just read about a guy who shot his 4 children and then himself and now the poor mother is devastated). Like I said...FAR worse than mine!

However, let me vent here anyway. Thank You.

I woke up in Phoenix with a bad headache. I slept, took a shower and headed downstairs for a nice free hotel breakfast. Then I came back to my room and fell back asleep. My shuttle ride to the airport wasn't scheduled until 2:30. I was hoping to get out and see some of the town, but at 105 degrees...that wasn't a good idea anyway.

At home Megan and Kate took part in the local morning parade and had fun joining in the 4th of July BBQ afterward while MB choose to drink.
When he called (just as I was walking to the shuttle) I heard it in his voice. I asked him if he had been drinking and he lied. You can imagine the conversation was LESS than pleasant.

Now PLEASE don't get the wrong idea about MB. He is trying very hard, but it is difficult having me gone so much. I understand that. Trust me...it's hard BEING gone so much. Once I figure out all the little details of the bidding system, I won't have to work so much. Until then, I'm screwing up my schedule and getting stuck with WAY to many hours! I should go to Denver for another day of training on that.

So there I was hiding in the restroom stall letting my tears fall down so that nobody could see. Thank God our plane was delayed for 10 minutes. I needed that time to pull it together.

My makeup was smeared...my eyes were stinging...and a fake smile was spread across my face.

"Hello. How are you today? I'm doing great, thank you. Welcome on board. Happy 4th of July."

They knew something wasn't right with me, but I had a job to do...and it was time to do it.

I could see the concern in my crew's eyes. They didn't dare ask me if I was okay for fear that I'd break down and cry. They were smart...I would have. I'm glad they didn't ask.

Now I knew when I started this job that I had the ability to turn someone's day around just by smiling. I never thought they'd have the same effect on me.

I love my passengers.

Without realizing it, they made me feel better. By the end of that flight I was saying good-bye and take care with a sincere heart. I hope the couple sitting in my first row got home to Chicago in time to visit with their daughter and the gentlemen in seat 5c made his connection to Honolulu. It was a full flight and I let the middle eastern couple seated in 7C&D hold onto their special pink carry on bag that they said contained "God" out of respect even though it was breaking a federal law. Really, what do you do? They can't put God in the overhead bin...or under the seat? It wasn't a large bag by any means...why can't they hold it?

Anyway- I called home inbetween flights as much as I could. On the third flight coming into LAX I saw some large fireworks shows going off. It was about 9:00pm. Hmm...they looked so small and far away. I guess I imagined they'd be closer. It just isn't the same without the sound effects...but still pretty.

The last flight into Fresno was easy. Only 21 passengers and no beverage. I was able to finish up my paperwork and even look outside for a while. By this time the big shows were over, but the cities sparkled with a combination of street lights, fast food signs and fireworks that twinkled like a sequin dress on a famous movie star.

I was mezmerized.

Bing Bong. The spell was broken with a high/low chime that clearly meant "5 minutes from landing...get in your seat!"

We landed, I said my final announcement, my passengers deplaned and I finished up my work. After stopping in at the crew lounge to drop off my paperwork, the first officer and I took the long walk out to employee parking. It was after 11pm and I had a long drive ahead of me.

I got home at 3am. I should be sleeping right now...but I can't. I guess 3 hours will have to do.