Snowflakes. Snow forts. Snow balls. Snow angels. Everything about the snow I love and when the colossal snow storm hit Colorado, I was in paradise.
Then I started listening to the news and I heard about people at the airport that were unable to fly anywhere. I heard that the airport staff couldn't clear the runways fast enough and it was too dangerous for flight in the snow storm.
This didn't concern me too much because I thought that by the time our family arrived a DIA, the snow would have stopped and the runways would be cleared.
Boy, was I wrong!
When we entered the airport on the Friday following the storm, luggage in hand, we were confronted with an enormous line packed with hundreds of people trying to get to their destinations. We joined the line and waited, but for what outcome we were not certain.
After 6 hours of reading, hoping, and of course Sudoku, we were faced with an unexpected outcome. Everyone in the mammoth line was told by the Frontier Airlines spokesperson that unless we had a confirmed flight, we had to go home. He told us that nothing could be done to help us that day. He told us that no flights would be booked until after Christmas.
It was then that I realized that I may not see the others in my family this holiday season.
The line started to slowly dissolve away and we left also. We returned home upset and confused.
Over the next few days, we booked the earliest flight possible. I was excited that we would finally be able to see our family in San Francisco. The flight was scheduled for Christmas.
After opening the presents from Santa on Christmas morning, like we always do, we were off to the airport. We parked and as we entered DIA we braced ourselves for another long line at the ticketing counter. To our surprise, there were only a few people in line.
The rest of the day went smoothly and that night we arrived safely in San Francisco.
I realized after that chaotic trip, that I sometimes take things for granted. I realized that it didn't really matter what was under the wrapping and bows beneath the Christmas tree, or how many Christmas cards I received. This Christmas I realized what matters most and what I really shouldn't take for granted- my family.