Two Hours and $123

Ya know, it's the little things 

that make life feel so grand.

On June 8, 2014, our family

moved to Florida.

We left our little home within eyesight

of my dearest, closest friend.

My trips back home were necessary 

for my heart that first year and a half.

The drive was a good twenty-four hours,

but I was always so thankful

that my heart could be

with ones I love

within a day.

My last trip found me near

an airport with flights directly 

near to my family and friends.

Direct flights and only two hours long!

Around the beginning of December, 

I booked a ticket for a week-long visit.

My friend was moving 

to her very own first home

and it was all the excuse I needed.

Without the charge for an extra bag

or to have an assigned seat,

the ticket, round trip, would only be

$123 including taxes and fee's.

My loving family let me go

and my husband waved goodbye

as he dropped me off at the airport.

My airport here in Sanford

is about the same size 

as my destination of South Bend.

The plane took off

and only two hours later,

I arrived to the sight of a dear friend

who had come to pick me up.

Two hours!!!

What a deal!  I was rested 

and there was no jet-lag 

or car-lag.

I enjoyed a sweet time that week.

It was such an exquisite gift from God

to see ones so dear to my heart 

and be there to ease theirs

and help them and experience 

their joy of home ownership

and even spent the first night

in their new home along with them.

These kind of things happened

and wasn't planned way ahead,

it just sorta happened

and I know God truly cares

about me and knows me

better than I know myself.

So my dear friend,

whenever the ache is strong

and God's bottle catching my tears

is full to overflowing,

it's a comfort to know

that He placed me within

two hours of you

by airplane.

A portal of sorts.

An inexpensive way 

to see your face

and hug on babies I miss

and who I know miss me.

Maybe it's not so much my ache

and tears as it is OURS combined.

I like that thought much better.

Because if God is collecting 

the combined ache, 

then I know I'll be there much sooner

than if just mine alone.