The longest day never felt so short

This story begins in a room filled with lots of screaming little girls, their daddy's, my daughter (Megan) and me.

Last Saturday night Megan sat in the living room of my apt feeling dissapointed that she couldn't go to the father/daughter dance. She hasn't missed one yet. Last year my dad took her while I was in SLC for new hire training.
I couldn't stand letting her down, so I asked if she'd like me to take her. I thought she would object since it might feel awkward having the only mom there. She lite up and eagerly said, "yes"!
It was 5pm and I knew I would still be on reserve until 9pm, but I figured they wouldn't call me. Just in case, I kept my phone with me and on vibrate so I wouldn't miss it in the loud room. By 8:30 I assumed I was safe and even left it on the table for a bit. Luckily I glanced at my phone at just the right time, because it was ringing. Immediately after I saw the crew support number, I looked at the clock. I wasn't going to make the same mistake I had made on Easter! The time was 8:55. I had to answer.
They notified me for a 5:05 am show the next day. Crap. The dance wasn't supposed to be over until 9:30, but Megan understood and we left. I feverishly tried making arrangments for the girls as we drove back to the apt. By the time I got into bed it was after 11pm and I still didn't have anywhere for the girls to go. Luckily it was Sunday and they didn't have school. I decided they would be fine on there own and I would be home by 6pm anyway.

Well...it didn't happen that way.
On the third leg of the day, we were ontime (early infact) coming into SFO from Boise, when we got forced into a holding pattern. Tower said it was going to be at least 25 more minutes. The problem was we didn't have enough fuel to do that. We diverted to Sacramento. It was a quick stop just to get gas and then we were back in the air headed to SFO.
Still, it put us a little more than an hour behind. Which normally isn't a big deal, but for our crew it was. We were already scheduled 5 flights, which translated into a 12 hour day with no breaks and 7 hours of actual flight time. Pilots aren't allowed to go over 8 hours of actual flight time unless it is due to weather, but they can't take off KNOWING they are going to go over the 8 hours. It's tricky.
Anyway- when we landed in SFO I called crew support. We still had a round trip to do to Eugene, Or. and I knew that if I did it, I would miss my deadhead back to Sacramento and the next flight isn't for 4 more hours. I was concerned for the girls. Also I'm not legally supposed to go over 16 hours of duty time.
Crew support said that I had to do it and they didn't think I'd go over 16 hours.
I knew I could probably refuse, but the gate agents already the passengers on the jetway to board and rather than delay the flight anymore, I agreed and hung up.
By this time, the pilots were wondering if they were legal to fly the trip. We spent a few more minutes while the captain called crew support to see if they should fly or not.
Meanwhile I got a call back from crew support telling me that they would hold my deadhead flight so that I wouldn't miss it. Wow! I didn't expect that and I wondered how long they could hold it for me? I didn't know how long our round trip would take. You never know what could happen.
Finally we were on our way. The captain tried his best to set up a quick turn by talking with flight operations before we got there. It worked. Everyone was ready and working hard to help me out.
I turned on my phone and listened to a message from crew support. While I was in the air, they pulled me off my deadhead and possitive spaced me on the later one. I was NOT happy. Neither was my captain.
He bugged operations so much on the way back to SFO to the point that they were getting mad at him. In the end I missed my deadhead by 10 minutes and I waited 4 hours for the next one which ended up being late. My first meal of the day came at 7pm. Beef terriaki rice bowl! I was in Heaven.
I finally got back into Sacramento a little after 9pm. I had gone over the 16 hours just like I thought I would. However, I'm not in trouble because it was due to weather and my chief flight attendant told me that deadheads aren't included with duty time. I don't know if I believe that.

Anyway- the best part of this story is this...in the whole mess I hadn't been able to call the girls until 5pm and I wondered how they were doing. God turned my babies into Angels. I was so proud of them. Kaytee stepped up and acted responsibly by doing dishes, preparing meals and getting along with Megan. Megan didn't hit Kaytee once all day!
Niether one of them were mad at me.

Now here's a surprising statement...I had the best day ever. Long, but awesome! My passengers were unforgettable and the day flew by. I was glad I did the round trip to EUG because I met Vanessa. I could have easily sterotyped her with those two humungous diamond rings and the designer sportswear outfit, but I didn't. It only took seconds to realize that she was a kind hearted beautiful wealthy black woman who shared my belief that happiness is a choice you make daily and just may very well be the secret to looking young.
I loved her. She was 52 years old, but looked out the window with a child-like amazement gleaming on her face. She watched her husband as he slept. You could see how much she admired him. They have 3 boys (all grown) who have gone through or currently going through the Air Force Acadamy. I bet she'll get some nice mother's day gifts this year!

When my passengers smile, I know I've done my job. Lately, they tell me I shoud be a stand up comic. I guess I've added a lot more jokes...but not to many. I change it up. I know that everyday I have the chance to make someone happy...and I want to do that. So it doesn't matter if I'm tired or hungry or if I have to go to the bathroom. Even if I'm worried about the girls...I can say a prayer and trust that He's got it under control.

Did I really just work 16:07 hours? Hmmm, it sure didn't feel like it.

I'm in Oakland right now. It's the third day of a 4 day trip. I think I need more rest. Later!