My Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

It was many years ago (but feels like yesterday) when I missed a flight from New York to Osnabrück, Germany.?

I had been sick for days and the morning of my flight I was diagnosed with bronchitis and given a prescription for antibiotics. By the time I left for the airport I had a fever of 103 and felt awful. Really awful. But I felt like I had to go. It was a leadership team meeting of 12 from around the world and we each had critical information to exchange and consider.

I arrived at the JFK Business Lounge and found 3 of my colleagues already there. The concierge asked for my passport.?

Crap. I could not find it. After taking apart my bag and briefcase, it was clear I didn’t have it and I had to return home.?

Of course, traffic was insane and once home, I found my passport— but realized I didn’t have enough time to get back and make the same flight. I made arrangements to take the flight the following night, took my antibiotics and passed out.?

I arrived in Germany (could not fall asleep entire flight) a day after my colleagues. It was 7:30 am and the meetings started at 9am. My cough was unbearable. Even worse-- my luggage was nowhere to be found. The airlines said to go to the hotel and it should be delivered in 24-48 hours.?

I contacted the secretary of our Country Manager in Germany to alert the team that I was delayed. She kindly told me to meet her in the hotel lobby at 10am when the shops opened. We purchased a sweater, pants, underwear, hairbrush and a pair of shoes in under an hour. I got back to the hotel and showered before putting on my new clothes and raced to the meeting rooms.

I delivered my presentation and tried to deflect questions and jokes about my “situation” while all I wanted to do was crawl into bed. ?

I wasn’t my best or close to it. The comments made Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank appear kind and forgiving. When I got back to my room, I called my husband and cried.?

The details are easy to recall today because it felt so intense and hopeless. It reminds me (and hopefully you) to always leave space for someone who may be having a bad day... or two or three. It doesn’t have to define us and we all deserve a little latitude.?Just a few days ago, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo explained why an entire season was not a failure because they lost the playoffs.

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