A PASSING VACATION

I handed over my passport and I was on my way! My buddies and I were going on a long-awaited vacation for some chill-laxation time.? We had been talking about it for a while but now we were actually on our way to Mexico! As I took my seat on the plane I could feel the tensions of work, home and daily life start to slip away; it was a much-needed break.

We arrived at our rental house in Mexico by late afternoon. It was a sizable house with a pool and just a few blocks from the beach! The weather was perfect, nice and hot, the water was fresh and cool… ahhh. The time went swiftly and as the sun faded, we decided to head out for dinner and cervezas.

The next day, at around 3:00pm, only 24 hours after my arrival, I received a message from my wife, it read… “Hi Darling” I knew something was wrong. I responded, “hey.” She said, “your sister just called me.” I said, “oh no!” She responded, “should I continue” “no” I said. This message decoded meant, my grandmother, who was a few months shy of 100 years old, had just passed away. The funeral would be the next morning at 10:00AM in New York.

Life Challenge: Now what?

All the tensions began to return. I had just barely arrived and now had to head back home?? What about all the planning that went into the trip or that I hadn’t taken a trip like this in several years! What about the expense? Everything was already paid for, not to mention the exorbitant cost of catching a last-minute flight back to NY! Could I even find a flight back home at the last minute? Was it even necessary for me to be there? Couldn’t I just join via a zoom call?

These were all normal thoughts, covering up the pain of having just lost my dear grandmother, who I was very close to all my life. I had spent so much time with her growing up. She always treated me like a prince; doting over me every moment she could. ?She was also my last connection to a distant past. Now, all of that past generation, within my family, was gone…. Once I dispersed the fog in my brain the answer was clear, of course I had to be at the funeral!

Short of time and with spotty internet, I asked my wife if she could find me a flight to make it back on time, while I rushed to pack my things and head to the airport. After some research she found a connecting flight that went to Columbia and from there to JFK in the US. “Book it” I said. I was going to make that funeral for my grandmother through “hell or high water”. “I’m coming Bubby!!” I thought to myself.???

My friends ordered me a taxi and with the airport an hour away, I still somehow managed to catch the 6:30pm flight out; what a relief! It would be 3 hours to Columbia, an hour and a half layover, then 7 hours back to JFK in NY. (My car was parked at Newark by the way).

With the help of the Almighty, I made it to JFK by 6:00am, with just enough time to get ready and be at the funeral parlor on time.?

At the funeral children and grandchildren got up to speak, all in a similar vein, describing what a wonderful woman she was. As the speeches were coming to a close, I felt compelled to say a few words about my dear grandmother. Although unprepared, I approached the pulpit to pour out whatever words that may come forth from my heart.

I don’t quite recall much of what I said, but I do recall many tears were shed.

When it was over, friends and family expressed how they were shocked to see me and couldn’t believe I made it back in time. They told me how my speech moved them and that it wouldn’t have been the same had I not been there. I was very thankful that I made a concerted effort to be at the funeral and was able to honor my grandmother one last time.

Life throws us many curve balls and the more trained we are to see them coming the better we can handle them. My muscle memory for such an experience in relation to family and loved ones knew what had to be done. When all the noise started entering my brain, there was a well-trained clear voice that said, you will do whatever it takes to make it to your grandmother’s funeral. Had I been indecisive or hesitated in my departure, I may not have made it back in time for the funeral and would likely regret it.

In challenging times, knowing what to do and following through by taking the correct action requires experience.? Having a mentor or life coach can be an effective tool guide to help you stay ahead of the curve so you can be prepared, decisive and ready to act during difficult life events.

Does this sound like an experience you’ve had? How do you think you would have handled it? Do you think you would have needed some guidance and coaching to get through the decision making process? Let me know your thoughts.?

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