Dear Readers, This year, I was super blessed to have my son visit me in Europe, and I believe we made memories that will last a lifetime. We watched a ton of movies, finished a couple of books, admired spectacular lights and assembled the neatest puzzle. Yet our most unexpected memory came courtesy of an airline debacle.
My sweet 17-year-old baby boy got stranded in Dublin for a night all by himself. After delayed flights, partner airlines pointing fingers at each other while collectively pointing at the third-party booking agent, he found himself without a boarding pass, sleep-deprived and starving. The good people of Ireland eventually made it right by rebooking him on new flights, putting him up in a swanky hotel, providing him with com- plimentary meals, smart TV and a fluffy bathrobe, but not before testing every fiber of his adolescent patience.
Some moms might gasp at the thought of their kid navigating this alone, while others might nod in solidarity, and I was a little of both. I’m so dang proud of him for not completely losing it. He remembered to breathe, stay calm and maintain his cool with the airport staff, even while surrounded by the “cheery” holiday travelers that we all know “shine” their best at airports this time of year. We reframed it as a bonus day for the lad to sneak in a wee bit o’ Ireland — something I have never personally experienced.
