By The title for today’s blog is from a fridge magnet that my sister gave me. It is a lovely thought that is reinforced multiple times throughout the day, starting in the morning when I reach in to grab some milk for my coffee and each time I go to the fridge (which is more often than I care to admit).
Today’s post is about several amazing things that happened on a short business trip yesterday. I came downstairs to checkout. The check-out lady (what do you call them? receptionist? lobbyist?) was RIDICULOUSLY nice. We had a delightful little chat about life and then she surprised me with a certificate to get a free coffee at the lobby restaurant. I thanked her and enjoyed a nice warm cup of coffee which is what I needed to warm up on this unusually cold day in Austin. As I doctored my coffee with milk and sugar, I started chatting to a nice lady working on her laptop at the bar. She was a professor in town (lives somewhere outside of San Antonio) and chose to stay at the hotel rather than make the drive home last night. We talked about life, health, parents, her life…and then it was off to the client. Connecting with others is a GREAT way to start the day.
The client meeting went as well or better than expected (minor amazing thing- the lunch was catered by Cabo Bob’s which was delicious and they brought in mid-afternoon snacks from Tiff’s treats!). I’m so grateful to be in a position that I can help clients…and these guys need some help to get into a new RMIS system.
And…AMAZINGLY… we ended at 3pm, about 1-2 hours earlier than expected. I ordered an Uber to head to the airport on the off chance that I could get on an earlier flight (I was scheduled for the last flight back to Atlanta which would get in close to 10pm – that is a LONG day and a crappy time to get an Uber). I got in the Uber and told the driver I was heading to the airport to which he asked “where’s your luggage?”. I responded “OH SHIT!”. I had left my luggage upstairs in the conference room! I had to run back inside, get a security card to let me onto the elevator, run upstairs and, thank you God!, the room was unlocked and my luggage was there. I grabbed it, ran back downstairs and back into my Uber (and thanked the security card profusely as I scrambled out of the lobby).
Despite heavy traffic, I got to the airport a little after 4pm. The agent at baggage claim couldn’t get the change ticket to go through. I thought I was successful on the app, so I ran/sped walked to security and to the gate. I got multiple errors when trying to complete the purchase of the change fee ticket. The Delta app continued to have problems, so I wasn’t sure if I was on the flight or not and if I had to pay for it when I arrived at the gate. I breathlessly (it was a long walk from security to Gate 7) approached the gate agent with my plea. AMAZINGLY, she was able to get me on standby AND on the flight. AND she said there was no charge.
My neighbors had agreed to pick me up at the airport so I quickly texted that I was arriving about 1 1/2 – 2 hours earlier, which I’m sure made them happy.
I got home safe and sound with a smile on my face as I reflected on my good fortune.
Today and every day I hope you can look for all the amazing things that happen in your life every day!
This is a record player (there’s one in every room) that was in my hotel room at the Otis!
