Extension of Time

Do you cry or grumble when life veers off course?

Written in August 2025: This is day two of trying to make my way home from Colorado. It was a long day yesterday that extended into the morning hours of this morning. Thankful beyond belief for a comfortable bed which my husband was finally able to find for me that was somewhat close to the airport. Most of the hotels were sold out. When I say that I have never seen so many people standing in line, I am being for real. Up until midnight, when the new shift started for American Airlines, I happened upon two of the longest lines I have witnessed. So many people were trapped in Dallas last night for all sorts of different reasons given by American Airlines.

Initially there was a diversion for my flight to San Angelo, TX due to insufficient fuel to land in Dallas Fort Worth, TX. We literally landed in an airport with 2 gates, unbelievable really. Thankfully, I was able to focus on the fact that we were safely on the ground. There was much rumbling from travels as we waited in the airport for two hours before reboarding the plane to fly to Dallas. Upon arrival, we were told to go to the American desk to receive help rebooking a flight. My connecting flight had been canceled, "due to weather." Although there was really no "weather" at 6:30p in Dallas. The truth was that there were probably not enough people in Dallas to catch the initial flight scheduled. However, this gave American an out. They do not provide hotel accommodations for flights canceled due to "weather."

I befriended a man named Sam, during my time in different terminals and boarding the Skylink train between terminals seeking shorter lines at the American help desk. I also made use of my time while waiting in line, on hold with AA. I finally was connected with an agent, and was able to book a flight to Richmond and then a connector to Charlotte. There were no flights into Raleigh. Sam was looking up nearby hotels, but his situation included him flying to the west coast. He was helpful, and it was comforting to know someone in the sea of people in the wee hours at the airport. Thankfully my dear husband stayed awake in the wee hours with me via phone and text, and I began to rely on him for assistance with finding a hotel to rest. I realized in the final moment, that he is always there for me. I just don't realize how faithful he is to me. He even stayed with me on the phone and via text, and I shared my Uber ride with him, so that he could track me. There was a sense of something that resembled fear, although I was mostly just exhausted and my body ached. I also kept getting dropped from the Uber drivers until I agreed to pay double the going ride rate after getting dropped 4 times. I was required to go to the lower level of the park and ride and waited with hundreds of people and was one of 5 individuals left on the curb before having to go back upstairs to the parking Zone 33 in this gigantic airport, so that I could get to my hotel. That bed felt amazing at 1:30am.

This was just night one of my 3 day journey to make it home. Life can be uncomfortable at times and can get messy. God gives us the help we need in these times. Faith is a necessity and a stronghold. Faith does not always give us what we need, but guides us on our path that is pleasing to God.

^“39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, ⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

-Hebrews 11: 39-40