I was given a wonderful opportunity to go out to General Conference for my church in Salt Lake City, Utah. I always wanted to go there but never have been given then opportunity. I had to overcome quiet a few obstacles! You see I am totally terrified to fly now a days!
We where to leave at 5:30 am on a Saturday out of Jacksonville which is a two hour drive. I was unable to sleep the night before for fear of leaving our six children alone, flying on a plane, the plane crashing with both their parents on it, fear of being to big for the seat, fear of getting sick in the air, and fear of everything! I finally fell asleep about 3:30 and was up at 4:30 am. Our friends arrived at 5:30 am and we drove to Jacksonville. I tried to tell them I was scared to death and they just kept telling me it would all be fine. Yep, sure!
We checked our bags in and proceeded to security check in... WHAT?? This is not the airports of twenty years ago. Yep, that"s how long it had flown. I removed my shoes, placed everything in the little plastic bin and then followed my hubby. Next, was a scanner, say what??? Get in , put your hands above your head. I'm thinking, ok, someone is seeing all this... naked?? Really??? I was upset and then they told me to get out and I had to wait on a matt with two yellow feet. My hubby went on, then our friends where waved on. I asked if I was done and they abruptly told me NO!! Then a woman came over with gloves on and they are saying over and over left knee, left knee. She proceeds to fell up and down my legs, lifts my pants up. I ask what are you doing?? TThere is metal in your left knee showing up on the screen. I have no metal in my knee that I know of. Then they wave the wand over my legs again and she checks it. They let me continue on. We all joked about my left knee. Our friend then got the pleasure of having her purse totally emptied out and searched. Let me tell you her purse was about the size of a suitcase. I honestly didn't mind any of this as I know they are just keeping us all safe! I just found a ton of humor in it!
Next comes the wait for the plane. There was a young girl flying out to SLC alone and her Mom started talking to us. Funny thing she was going to the same connection as we where in Denver and on to Utah. So she tagged along with us. Then they called us to board. I squeezed my hubbies hand hard. We got seat belt extenders and boarded the plane. He proceeds to tell me we will be fine. I say about 10 prayers and then the plane prepares for take off. Now , let me tell you I was terrified. It shook and was super loud. I have flown a ton in my life and not sure why I'm so scared anymore. I squeezed his hand till it turned purple, I kept asking why are we still going up??? LOL Then about 10 minutes later we hit turbulence! Alot of it! The plane shook and dropped and yep, I screamed. This went on for about a half hour. It then calmed down. We landed in Denver and it felt like we weren't going to stop. But, we did.
The flight to SLC was rough also. I did enjoy the city. The trip back was hilarious! We where on a plane that was totally booked. My hubby and I are not little people by any means. We where crammed into a row with a sweet young college kid who probably only had like half his seat and was so nice about it. The hour long flight we bounced like crazy. The pilot was at 39,000 feet and then tried 3\, 35, and went back up to 30.000 trying to find a smooth place to fly! To absolutely no avail! I felt like I was going to puke. The flight attendants weren't allowed out of their seats till last 20 minutes of flight. I also had to go to the bathroom. I screamed and was clinging to my hubby's arm with a death grip. Our friends kept asking where I was . They where a few rows ahead of us. I was scrunched all the way down in the seat. Mind you I am a 5'10" tall woman and weigh well I'm a big girl. Our landing was even rough the plane actually cavatatted from the harsh landing. he reversed the engines like crazy and we weren't sure if we where gonna stop. All in all we did arrive safely, I discovered that no matter what I'm still terrified to fly and that my hubby loves me a ton. He volunteered to hold me if plane went down and I could use him as a cushion. I have never been so happy to have my feet on the ground before. Actually , never really thought of how I loved the ground before. I am thankful for all the prayers of mine that where answered! lol
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