Benny and the kids dropped me off at the airport Wednesday night. Being the perfectionist that I am, I showed up two hours early for my flight. When I entered the terminal, I was surprised to see no one at the desk of the airline I was flying. I don’t just mean other passengers, I mean I didn’t see any people working the desk either. I approached rather slowly and finally saw two women sitting on stools behind the big desks just chatting away. It must have been a nice break for them because normally DIA is packed with people who make them hop and jump through hoops to please them. They were extremely friendly and had me on my way in about two minutes flat. I was soooo happy to not be standing in an eternally winding line of passengers. It felt like special treatment somehow. š I headed off to the the restaurant area to get some supper after I checked the security lines. It was almost a repeat of the first desk. There were only a few people walking through -NO LINES. I got my supper and sat down to people watch for a bit. It’s amazing to me how we, humans who need relationship with other humans, can be so cut off from one another. It’s strange to me that people can be so lost in their own little worlds that they don’t even notice what is happening all around them. I know I’m one of those people too, it’s just that when you take the time to stop and watch, you see amazing, sweet, even tender things. There was a young guy sitting on a bench holding a beautiful bouquet of multi-colored flowers, just smiling to himself as he gazed down at them. I saw a mother looking a little frenzied while pushing an overloaded stroller while trying to keep up with her little boy who was pulling his own mini-suitcase. There were security workers on break, and people in business suits looking all important. An older couple holding hands walked by me and I wondered, “Where is their luggage?” The lady wasn’t even carrying a purse. Maybe they were having a date, like Zoe and I did back in July. I don’t go to the mall, so when I fly is the only opportunity to have a good seat while people watching.
I met a business lady on the underground train that takes you to your concourse. She and I struck up an easy conversation and I found out she’s from Pheonix. I mentioned that is one of the cities we’ve been looking at for a future Dry Bones planting. We chatted until we got to our seperate concourses, then she walked back out of my life. I was deep in thought at this point about how our lives are a series of little bumps into other people’s lives. Some of them last longer than just a bump, but all relationships last for a finite amount of time, except the relationship with the one who made us. Our longest relationships are with our parents or spouses, and even those are temporary. I’m thinking physical relationship here – someone you can touch, or call on the phone, or mail letters to. Ofcourse my mind would travel to this thought because of the nature of my trip this week. We just never know how long and deep an encounter or bump will effect us.
While waiting at my gate for our plane to arrive, I was treated to a couple of twenty something guys playing softly on a guitar, and singing. The sounds of the acoustic guitar relax my body as well as my spirit. It was awesome. I was reading, but felt the urge to make some calls to request prayers for Angi for this weekend, so I did. I figured it was a Holy Spirit thing. I was surprised by the small number of people at the gate when it was time to board. We were on a regular sized jet (6 seats across) and there were only 26 passengers. I got to leave seat 20a and move up to the exit row which was completely empty. LOTS of leg room – YEAH! Then I giggled to myself as I thought about my recent conversations with Angi about the flight. I had told her that after watching LOST, my first thought when I got on the plane would probably be me looking around at everyone else wondering if I could survive on an island with them. So it was funny to me to now be sitting in the Exit row – I’d be responsible for helping the other passengers to safety in the event of a crash landing. (Maybe there should be a heroic stay-at-home-mom on the show.) š She had chided me saying there are no big bodies of water or islands between Colorado and Indiana, so I reminded her that Oceanic flight 815 had been a thousand miles off course. The joke was lost on her (no pun intended) because she’s not a LOST fan like me. Oh well.
Our flight left early so we landed in Indy before Angi got to the airport. She pulled up and got out of the car and we hugged hard. It was so good to see her. I know it’s only been since July, and we talk on the phone almost every day, but sometimes you just need that physical touch to make things feel right with the world. I’m here to not only be strong for her, but to weep with her as well, and there was a lot of emotion in that first hug. We got in the car and there was a gift for me on my seat. She bought me the new Casting Crowns CD! ( The one I was going to have to wait until next payday for) I was so excited! It was the first in a series of gifts she has given me since my arrival. It seems she’s “paying me back” (in a good way) for my giving her a daily gift at camp this summer. She’s knows that gifts is one of my love languages, and she’s spoiling me. It feels nice.
We stayed up way too late talking – something we’ve repeated every night since I got here. On Thursday we went to the Indiana State Museum to experience the opening day of the last stop on the internationally touring Lord Of The Rings movie trilogy exhibition. I know – I’m a movie nerd. I LOVED IT!! I got to see the actual costumes worn by the cast, and the weapons they weilded, both real and reproduction. There were maquettes of Treebeard, and other non-human characters from the movie. So cool. They had quite a few “movie magic” interactive booths that showed you the tricks of the camera, and other behind the scenes secrets of creating films of this magnitude. For instance, Angi and I did a laser scanning of our faces to see what we’d look like if we were carved in stone. There was a booth where you could get your picture taken with another person using the technology they used to make Gandalf appear so big when he was in the Shire. It was a combination of camera tricks and two sets of props – one regular size and one hobbit size. The “hobbits” used the regular sized props while the others that interacted with them used the hobbit sized props. In the picture, you have two people sitting on what appears to be the same bench, but one of you is the size of a hobbit, and one of you is a giant in comparison. It looked fun, but neither of us is keen on having our picture taken, so we watched other people do it instead. Another activity was a long wall that measured your height. You stand in a certain spot and are “measured”, then a speaker above your head tells you where you fit in with the characters. The voice said I could be a tall dwarf!!! Angi laughed so hard…I’m not short! I’m almost 5′ 7″. The voice told her she could be human…I repeated the “could be” part and we laughed some more. There was so much to see! I did get a little creeped out when we first walked in. One of the first things you see is the boat holding a dead Boromir, the one they sent him over the falls in. The dummy version of Sean Bean was so life-like it was creepy. It was detailed down to the realistic eyelashes and wrinkled skin. The only thing that wasn’t realistic looking were the fingernails, they were the same color as the flesh. And it was an instant reminder of why I’m here. Oh boy, this has the potential to be a long weekend with things like this popping up. The exhibit was incredibly awesome, and if you share my LOTR nerdness and live anywhere near this museum, you must trust me that it is worth your time and money to visit the exhibition. It will be there until sometime after Christmas -I’m not sure how long.
I had a shock to my system after we left the museum. Angi gave Kyle’s cell phone to our friend Angela to use instead of cancelling it. Angela had left me a voicemail on my cell and when I called her back, I got her voicemail, “Hi! This is Kyle…” I almost dropped my phone. Angi apologized for not reminding me that his voice was still on there – one of the only recordings she has of it. It wasn’t her fault, I knew about it, but it’s been over a year since I’ve called his phone and I had forgotten. So much for being strong for her…I was shaken up for a few minutes. I’m not sure why my reaction was so strong, and I felt badly that I couldn’t mask it better for Angi’s sake. Oh well, I expected it to be an emotional weekend, didn’t I?
Speaking of emotional, while hanging out lastnight she showed me the bouqet of roses Kyle had given her exactly one year ago lastnight. They are perfectly dried and in a vase as a visual reminder of Kyle’s passionate adoration and love for her, and one of the last gifts she would ever receive from his loving hands. Alot of tears were shed lastnight. I hope it was healthy. When you’re in the middle of it, it sure doesn’t feel like it. We were up past 3 a.m. We must have been out of our minds. I haven’t gone to bed before 2 a.m. since I got here. Oh well, today is Saturday and we both slept in…she’s still sleeping and it’s already past noon. We’re just planning on going with the flow today, and maybe seeing a few girlfriends this afternoon. Whatever else happens is just fine with me – I’m along for the ride.
Tomorrow is the one year Anniversary of that horrible accident and the death of my friend. I’m crying just thinking about it. After church, a bunch of us girls are taking Angi out for lunch and hanging out for a bit, then Angi and I are going to the cemetary together. I don’t know what that will be like, but I’ll be there for my friend and that’s what matters. As hard as it’s been sometimes, I’m so glad God has used me to be a source of comfort and understanding for her, and sometimes a motivator when she needed one. I’m thankful for the friendship we share, and I’m thankful to be here with her this weekend. Keep us in your prayers.
Niki,
So glad that you can be there for your friend. I know you will grow spiritually from this experience as well as Angi! I will pray for you both tomorrow as it will probably be a hard day. Blessings
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Niki,
there are so many things i want to say in this one little short comment. i’m not sure where to start. i guess maybe the best thing to say is simply, God bless you.
i wonder if i’ll get to see you while you are in town…
love,
kent <><
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You are both in my prayers. The tears ARE good. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. May God keep you safe on your travels. I felt like I was at the airport with you, Niki. You see things so similarly to me. We truly are somehow separated at birth.
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Hey that was a great post. I don’t know anything about that situation(I am relativly new to your blog and all) but it is encouraging to hear what a ministry you are to your friend. I can’t imagine. Your presence will do more than any words you can say. But you know that. Anyways, thanks for encouraging me with your testimony.
Chris
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wow, you flew over there to be with your friend, that is so kind.
I was laughing at you looking at every passenger to see if you could survive on an island with them!!!
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Niki,
It was so good to see you!!! Wish you didn’t have to go so soon!!! I’m so glad I was able yto be with you guys Saturday night and Sunday! I’m so thankful for you, and I know Angi is too! I’ll try to meet up with her on Sunday at church…oh, and there’s the Indiana Jones and 13 going on 30 stuff…I’ll be making a point to watch them with her! Have a safe flight-miss ya already! Hope Benny and Pete are feeling better!
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I know God used you powerfully this weekend! I have said this before–but I think you are a great friend!
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You and Angi are always in my thoughts and prayers. I know that she feels so blessed by your friendship, your comfort and your understanding. You always seem to know what to say and what to do. I love you both and wish I could be there right now giving hugs and holding angi’s hand. thinking of ya’ll…nat
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You are what true friends are made of. May our Lord richly bless you.
I enjoyed reading of your people watching & meeting experience. I used to take the train to San Diego to visit my kids, and met some very interesting people. One even sent me her recipe for Heinz sweet pickles.
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I know I’ve told you this so many times, but I wanted to say thank you again for this weekend. I honestly don’t know if I could’ve made it through without your compassion. I had so much more fun than I thought I had any right to! “You’re freakin’ awesome!”
Tell Benny he’s got a super special Christmas present coming for letting you come out here.
I love you and miss you already!
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