I used to be afraid of flying. Many years ago I watched a movie called "Alive" based on a true story about a plane crash in the Andes. I can't remember what year that was but I know for sure that was before I ever have flown on a plane (and that was at a ripe age of 21). My first plane ride coincided with me coming from my childhood country of Poland to my adulthood world of United States of America.
My first trip on the plane was by far the most fear and anxiety inducing. Since I moved to the USA 20 years ago I have taken several plane rides and it had gotten easier bit by bit each time. One ride at a time the fear chipped away and floated away. Over the last 14 years, I had averaged 1-2 trips on the plane per year and I got my anxiety level down to almost zero.
Last winter my dad fell ill. His health condition- he was told by several doctors- is incurable, irreversible and a" ticking time bomb". That was on Valentines Day.
Through lots of research and family discussions we decided to try some unconventional treatments to see if we could add time to his life or better yet, add life to the time he has left. Through process of elimination we decided on a clinic in Arizona. After doing ini-mini-miny-mo with my sisters, I got to go to Arizona first to help my dad. We all took turns and over the course of the next 3 months we all flew there and back several times.
I took 9 flights in that time period, and then 2 more to Thailand (also with my dad). All of it before July 4th.
So between the holiday of Love and the holiday of Independence, my family has been through a incredible journey. I could write a book about that experience (and one day I just might), but for now I want to focus on something I had just experienced today.
I am writing this on a plane. I am on my way to LA for a Nutrition Conference. As I was sitting here in seat 18F, looking out the window trying to figure out what those huge circles on the ground actually are, I was flooded with an incredible wave of Gratitude. My eyes filled with tears and a few of them broke free. I immediately felt a lump in my throat, and almost had to choke down the sobbing that tried to come up to the surface. At first I just sat here, almost shocked at how unexpected this emotion was and the visceral reaction I had to it. It took several minutes of deep breathing and asking for clarity but it finally came.
I realized that every time I have been on the plane since that first time (but especially since last winter), it was because I was extremely blessed and loved.
Each time I got on a plane in the last 6 months, I had to step away from the routine of my life and have someone else take my responsibilities on their shoulders. I am surrounded by an incredible army of people in my life, starting with my husband, kids, sisters, brothers, parents, cousins, wonderful friends and my community. Each time I took a plane ride, I always sent my grateful thoughts to everyone who supported me in that journey. But this time the Gratitude totally overwhelmed me. So I sit here and breathe in that gratitude slowly and deeply. And one thing I know for sure... I know with every cell of my body that I am the luckiest, most incredibly blessed and overwhelmingly grateful being.
So I am posting this on my blog, because I would like to send that Gratitude into the Universe in hopes that somewhere out there someone else needs their overwhelming feeling. And maybe someone out here could be comforted by the positive energy and warm thoughts I am attaching to this blog.
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The fear I used to feel on a plane is now totally replaced by Gratitude and Love. May all fear and anxiety always be replaced with Gratitude and Love. Period.
If you know me personally and have already known about my dad's journey, please know that I consider you incredibly important part of my life and I appreciate you immensely. All of your thoughts and prayers have been and continuously are greatly appreciated. You are loved.
If you do not know me personally, but just read this post anyway, let me say this: " I am grateful for your time and your interest in my story. May life bring you everything you need to feel and may you be filled with the Gratitude and Love you deserve. Period”.
Love and Peas
Iwona Leger RN, MSN is a Certified Health Coach. She teaches nutrition and cooking classes and works with individual clients on helping them achieve their optimal health.
For more info visit
www.loveandpeashealth.com.
