Alas, I should have flown to Vancouver Island today. I should have arrived there at around 4pm local time.
After a long and testing year, I finished my exams, and my second year of law school on Friday the 13th, basically yesterday, but I wanted it to sound more ominous. Let's hope it's not a bad omen for the results!
My wife, being the amazing, thoughtful and loving woman she is, flew out to Van Isle with our maniac of a toddler son (maniac or not, he's still the best thing to ever happen in the history of the world), to give me some space, peace and quiet to study. My god how I've miss them though.
And so, I should have flown out to meet my beloved little family today.
For the first time in months, it seemed like I was completely organized, on the ball, and ready to go. Left the apartment with loads of time, nice and relaxed drive to the airport, checked in, through security. Loads of time, no hassles. I got to my gate, flight's on time, sitting there starting to read For Whom the Bell Tolls for the umpteenth time. Well chuffed with myself so I was.
And then things started to go arse-up. The passengers who had boarded, disembarked again. Turns out, the aircraft was goosed. One delay after another until it got to the stage that I would never have made my connecting flight out to the Island. I took it on the chin. These things happen. Rang the missus. Sorted out flights for tomorrow. The airline staff were lovely. Back to long-term parking, into the car, to drive home again.
And then the 'should' bullshit sank in. Looking at the clock, I should be in the wherever by now. I should have been picked up from the airport and had a massive embrace with my wife and a huge hug with my son...although he also would probably try to pluck out my eyes and rip my nose off too, but that's OK, I'm used to the pain and scratches. A smile and a laugh from him makes any pain worth it.
I should be on the beach by now playing with my boy. I should be hearing the waves, smelling that ocean air. I should...really shut the f*** up. Definitely not doing myself any favors. Best get back to taking it on the chin, and what's another day, although it felt like a hopeless eternity at one stage today, deep down I know this will make our reunion all the sweeter. And then it's time to take over and let my wife sleep, rest, and recharge. No such thing as a break with small kids! And I do have one of our days there booked of to go surfing (read that as renting a wetsuit and board and going out to get my ass pummeled by the waves... the best ass-kicking one can get!)
So roll on tomorrow I say, take two is going to be the one, no ifs, buts, woulds or shoulds about it.
