That’s Life: Travel adventure reveals the need for patience

Ever my mother’s daughter, at the beginning of any trip I find myself wondering what essential item I’ve forgotten.

She always asked it aloud. “What did I forget?” As if the mere mention of an unknown article of clothing, meal staple or travel necessity left unpacked at home would cause it to spring to mind, offering an opportunity to retrieve it before we’d driven too far.

But she was a meticulous list maker, each item checked mentally and on paper for good measure. I can’t remember her ever forgetting something important.

Usually she remembered more than we’d need and as much as we’d want, stocking the camper or filling the suitcases with every essential for the fun ahead. Even when the airline lost a bag it didn’t matter much, because we’d spread the family’s clothes between suitcases, just in case.

Last week, her familiar question echoed through my head as I hustled out the door on my way to the airport with my son, a quick trip only slightly delayed by a last-minute bathroom break.

But I didn’t ask Isaac, “What did I forget?” I already knew I’d over-packed, filling my weekend suitcase with enough to wear if we were stranded several extra days while experiencing a 40 degree temperature swing.

Instead, I asked if he had his ID before heading into midday traffic.

Twenty-five minutes later I parked and discovered I should have asked myself that question. I didn’t have my ID or credit cards to pay for the travel. Often I carry them without my purse. For this trip I’d packed the purse but evidently left it safely at home.

After searching the car twice we peeled out of the airport parking lot, exactly one hour before our flight was scheduled to take off.

I discovered it’s possible to cover a 25 minute drive in 17 minutes if you have a cool-headed passenger with an excellent eye for spying open lanes, an awareness of traffic patterns and an ability to avoid school zones.

It also helps if you get lucky with the lights.

We arrived back at the airport and parked 10 minutes before our scheduled departure. We grabbed our bags, double-checking that I had my purse this time, and ran for the doors through gusting wind. That’s when I regretted packing the largest carry-on size suitcase to the brim.

Its little wheels couldn’t handle more than a brisk walk and it was an unwieldy object to clutch to my chest while sprinting.

My lungs burned by the time we arrived at an empty security line and learned the boarding for our flight had been slightly delayed. We’d made it in time to walk to the back of the line.

It wasn’t until we’d taken off and I took the first sip of white wine served in a little plastic cup that my heart rate slowed enough to ask myself that question again. “What did I forget?”

At this point it was rhetorical but reflecting on our quick pre-flight trip home I realized something.

Our trip had been planned for weeks and anticipated for months. Missing our flight would have been a huge disappointment. Yet during our adrenaline-fueled drive home Isaac didn’t lose his temper or composure.

While I berated myself for forgetting my ID, the most important item I’d needed to pack, he showed he’d remembered to bring something that mattered more – kindness, self-control and a good attitude. I’m adding those to the packing list.

Jill Barville writes a month about families, life and everything else. She can be reached at jbarville@msn.com.