Embracing the Unexpected and Welcoming 2026
On Saturday, my husband returned the rental car while we packed our bags, ready to leave my parents' house in Florida after a delightful week. After lunch, my dad drove us to the airport.
Our flights were originally scheduled for 4:30pm, but shortly after checking our bags, we were notified that our DEPARTURE HAD BEEN DELAYED to 6:30pm.
We decided to grab a few snacks and settled in at Starbucks to pass the time. However, as the clock ticked, we received another update: our flight was pushed back yet again, this time to 7:40pm. We were headed to Chicago for a layover before making our way home.
At 7:40pm, the announcement came that the cleaning crew had not shown up, and the flight attendant would need to clean the plane before we could board. Finally, at 8:00pm, we boarded the aircraft. Just as we thought we were ready to take off, the pilot informed us of another delay due to fuel issues. It wasn't until around 9:00pm that we finally took to the skies.
As the flight attendants began rolling out the beverage carts, they quickly returned to the back of the plane. The pilot then made a shocking announcement: WE HAD STRUCK A BIRD and would need to make an emergency landing in Orlando. We landed at 11:00pm, and I felt a mix of fatigue and disbelief.
Our new boarding time was set for 11:58pm. Exhausted, I approached the kiosk to inquire about a direct flight to San Francisco, as our flight from Chicago had already departed at 10:10pm. Much to our relief, they arranged a hotel stay, transportation, and food vouchers for the next day, securing us a direct flight on Sunday at 4:55pm.
As we left the airport, we received a message that the flight to Chicago had been delayed again to 8:02am on Sunday—thankfully, we had made the right decision.
Arriving at the hotel just after midnight, we maintained a spirit of kindness and gratitude. The hotel provided us with a suite, allowing us to drop off our carry-on bags before heading to Denny's for a late-night meal.
Despite the chaos, we found reasons to laugh and enjoy our evening. Sunday morning brought a complimentary breakfast, where we indulged in mini waffles, eggs, and coffee. We even managed to secure a late checkout since our flight wasn't until 4:55pm, allowing us to explore the ORLANDO OUTLETS. We picked up small items—socks, shirts, and underwear—and enjoyed lunch at Ford's Garage.
With ample time to check out and get a Lyft back to the airport, we used our food vouchers to treat ourselves to candy and drinks. Our direct flight was on time, and although it was a full plane, everything began to feel like it was falling into place.
However, just when we thought we were in the clear, our pilot informed us that all the bathrooms were malfunctioning due to a failure to check the toilet waste before takeoff. We DETOURED TO DENVER, where we had just enough time to use the restrooms and grab a quick bite to eat.
To our surprise, we caught the last four minutes of the baseball game: Cubs vs. 49ers. The San Francisco team scored a phenomenal TOUCHDOWN, and we boarded the plane feeling happy and well-fed.
Finally, we arrived home around 11:00pm to find all our luggage waiting for us. Remarkably, we never stressed about what would happen next.
When we resist the urge to let stress dictate our decisions, we often find clarity.
According to Dr. Ellen Langer, when stress arises, we become singularly focused and hold two beliefs: that something negative is going to happen and that, when it does, it will be awful. She advises taking a moment to challenge those thoughts by identifying 3-5 reasons why the feared outcome may not occur. This simple practice can immediately shift your mindset (from “it's going to happen” to “maybe it won't”). Additionally, she suggests reframing the situation by asking, “If it does happen, how could that actually be an advantage?” This perspective allows us to see that, regardless of the event, we will be okay.
“Events don't cause stress. The outcomes of events are a function of our thoughts about them.” - Dr. Ellen Langer
As we approach the New Year, I encourage you to remember Dr. Langer's wisdom and embrace the choices you have, whether you're traveling or driving anywhere this week. Whatever happens, you have the power to shape your response and find the silver lining.
