Relax first.
After a long night of travel, Ricardo and I sat in a transit room (I cannot bring myself to call it a lounge), waiting for Uniformed Man behind The Desk to send someone to collect our luggage from the baggage carousels located downstairs—on the other side of customs and immigration.
We had bid our farewells to colleagues with whom we’d travelled thus far and were eager to get our bags, move as efficiently as possible through the airport’s complicated transit routine, and be on our way home.
The transit routine is unusual enough that our colleagues, for whom this was the final destination, were alarmed when they noticed Ricardo’s suitcase on the carousel . They quickly texted Ricardo:
“We found your suitcase on the baggage claim belts here—clearly marked as this being the final destination… we will take it with us…”
Around that time, the baggage porter arrived and informed us that Ricardo’s suitcase had evidently not arrived.
Happily, we were able to call our friends in time and, happier still, communicate what had happened effectively enough to convince the porter to try one more time to get the bag.
Our friends made it to the baggage claim carrousel right as the porter arrived.
And I laughed, remembering how I sometimes feel responsible for the whole world and rush in to help.
What a blessing our friends checked in to make sure that taking the suitcase was (or was not) the helpful thing to do.
Isn’t it a relief to know that we don’t know everything and that our responsibility has limits?
We can notice, take a deep breath, send a text, ask some questions.
We can relax.
Until next week, may your rest be sweet.
Alicia