Fourth Wednesday - Day Nineteen

On the road again - forty-eight hours in the life of a Northern Resident. Did I say that Lent was about 'Journey'?

Unlike two weeks ago, when I sat in the Yellowknife Airport departure lounge for three hours waiting for a flight to leave, eveyrthing about the flight this morning seemed normal. We left on time and about the usual time the Captain came on the public announcement system to tell us we would be at the gate by ten to nine. But as we descended, the clouds never seemed to get any closer. We kept going down, but never seemed to get through them. I dozed off for a moment and then woke up to see that things had cleared below us, or so I thought. It was only a few moments until the captain came back on to tell us the fog had rolled into Edmonton and we were in a holding pattern for fifteen minutes to see if the fog would clear. I think I counted four or five circuits - weather absolutely clear from Wabamun all the way to the Rocky Mountains over three hours drive to the west, but right over Edmonton was that same pillowy blanket of fog that had prevented us from landing on time. After the fourth or fifth circuit we unmistakably climbed out of our hold and headed south. Strangely it was quite a while before the captain confirmed what I already knew. We were headed for Calgary.

So here I am sitting at Gate 42 at Calgary International Airport while fuel is loaded, some passengers are unloaded, and the remainder of us are waiting patiently and impatiently for the fog to clear in Edmonton. I am supposed to be chairing a meeting, but the scheduled start was twenty minutes ago  - so no point in worrying about that.

As I sat here I began reflecting on what a difference forty-eight hours can make. About forty-seven hours ago I was sitting on the frozen expanse of Walsh Lake on a beautiful, reasonably mild March day, seeing if I could attract a fish to the line I had dangling down a hole cut in the ice. It was peaceful and relaxing - a welcome respite from the frenetic pace I've been setting lately.

Two weeks ago I was in a situation that is somewhat reminiscent of today's adventure, The one big difference is that the fog rolled early into Edmonton that day, so we sat in Yellowknife waiting to board - with internet and cell phone at our ready command to tell people what was happening, instead of sitting in Calgary waiting to head back to Edmonton.

Three episodes of waiting  - two out of my control and one completely at my control. Time passes at the same rate every second, minute and hour, and yet the way we spend that time, the attitude we have during its passing and the thoughts that occupy our minds make all the difference.

Gate 42, Calgary International Airport
Calgary, Alberta
Wednesday, March 10, 2010