Air travel can be quite daunting, not due to a fear of flying, but rather the myriad other uncertainties like navigating security, making connections, or the risk of lost luggage. However, during a recent journey from Milwaukee to upstate New York, which turned into an extended travel saga, I surprisingly found myself embracing the experience.
The journey commenced after concluding a five-day retreat for the Pallottine Fathers near the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Arriving at the airport five hours ahead of my scheduled flight, I settled in with a new book, a cup of coffee, and a webinar on compassion and courage. Despite an impending delay for my Detroit flight, jeopardizing my connection, attempts to secure a reroute proved futile. Resigned to the possibility of spending the night at Detroit airport with only a travel yoga mat from my carry-on, a kind stranger nearby suggested trying to board the flight to LaGuardia Airport in New York, boarding at the adjacent gate—a serendipitous encounter, my first angel on this journey.
Although skeptical, I approached the gate and inquired about boarding the New York flight. Within minutes, clutching a boarding pass, I turned to my newfound acquaintance, exclaiming, “You are my hero!” His reassuring smile and thumbs-up lifted my spirits.
Given the distance of LaGuardia from my home, I swiftly devised a new plan. A text to my daughter in Manhattan led to an impromptu stay at her apartment, complete with late-night falafel and shared laughter. The following morning, over coffee at a quaint café and a visit to Grant’s Tomb—a first for her—I bid her farewell to catch my train.
En route, during a heartwarming encounter with an Uber driver named Francisco, our conversation delved into spirituality and the essence of existence. Reflecting on the profound dialogue, I pondered life’s purpose and the pursuit of unconditional love and inner joy untainted by external circumstances, a notion that resonated deeply.
Arriving at Penn Station, our exchange continued, touching on matters of faith and purpose. As we parted ways, our brief yet profound connection left me contemplating the divine orchestration of chance encounters. Subsequently, attending a spiritual gathering led by a wandering monk named Brian, I found echoes of the profound questions raised by Francisco, reinforcing the significance of these encounters in my spiritual journey.
Although the initial euphoria was soon replaced by the humdrum of daily life, the transformative impact of these encounters lingered. Recalling the biblical verse urging hospitality towards strangers, for they may be angels in disguise, I realized how choosing openness and curiosity over trepidation had led me to encounters that enriched, challenged, and transformed me. These encounters, with my three angels, will forever hold a special place in my heart.