“Sorry sir, you’re overweight”. Though I had eaten a bit too much over the last two weeks, I didn’t get flustered with that comment, seeing that I was at the airport check in with some really heavy bags.
Flying back with the family, after picking up food, tzchatchkes, and everything else from a two week trip meant we’d have more than we bargained for in our suitcases.
“This bag is 58 pounds. 8 pounds overweight”. Ouch, they only give leeway of one pound over 50. So I need to unload 7 lbs. No problem, garment steamer is out. Oh look, a frying pan. That should do it. just need to get that into my carry-on. Who knows, maybe they’ll have a little burner on board and I can make some eggs.
There are times when you feel that things are just going to work out for you. We all pray to be in that mindset on a regular basis. That mindset is something that comes with confidence, but most importantly, with a recognition that Hashem makes everything happen, that He is the Kol Yachol, the One who is in control of everything, and the One who wills everything to be.
Since we were in places where a mikvah would not be found, and we needed cookware, we purchased pots and pans in NY, took them to the mikvah and drove them to West Virginia, our stopping point. Now back at the airport, returning home, we were determined to take that cookware with us.
“Sir, this next suitcase is 65 lbs, 15 lbs overweight”, announced the ticketing agent. Now, moving around eight pounds is doable, but fifteen, that’s pretty ridiculous. “Downstairs you can purchase a tote and bring it up to pack a 5th suitcase”, quipped the agent.
“Thank you, but we are going to figure this out”, I said. This can be done, we don’t need to pay for a fifth piece. Hashem will make this happen. And if it is not his will, so be it, but this is not a miracle that defies nature.
And then my wife remembered that we have a garment bag stored somewhere. Pulling it out of one of our many carry-ons, we proceeded to open the elephant sized suitcase and pull out the hanging clothing. It wasn’t enough, so the sneakers came out, and then more hangers, and finally a pot lid, all into carry-ons.
Finally, we completed the transfer, and now it was all about getting to the plane with 7 carry-ons, 7 personal items, a stroller and car seat. Luckily, we had four workhorse kids with us and a two year old with more energy than all of us combined. It looked like we were moving, and I mean moving residences, and thankfully they let us use the smart-cart all the way to the gate.
By the time we landed from our first leg, we were wiped out. Our two year old had a great time on the five hour flight, which meant everyone else was exhausted. Bringing her car seat on the plane was, in hindsight, a bad idea, as she had no intention of sitting in it, and she won that argument.
So when we got to our next flight, which was a cute little plane that had overhead bins which were large enough to hold cans of soda and a box of cereal, the ticket counter announced that they would be happy to check bags under the plane for free. Finally, we would have a break from the frying pans, serving spoons, garment steamer and the half dozen seforim (Jewish books) that I valiantly hoped I would learn on the plane. Oh and the car seat, there was no chance that was coming on the plane.
Finally, after the day of flying was done, we all trekked off the plane, each family member carrying one, two or three pieces of luggage. As I looked at my family, I smiled in pride as they all pulled their weight, working together to make the flying a success, and I had a special moment of thanks to Hashem for His hand of chessed making it all happen.