The plan and the good deed

So two days before we left, I was transferring luggage to the Land Cruiser. The windows are tinted black and only I have the key. My plan was to go drive the Land Cruiser to the villa and transfer the luggages to the Mercedes over there. But I have a problem. My BIL and the mercedes. He always takes it. He's even made himself his own set of keys for it now.

How do I fix this?

So I called the SIL and told her that I was going to spend a couple of days at the SIL's house in Cairo.....make sure that the car is available for me. The night we left, I took the Land Cruiser to the villa.....and made the switch. The trunk was so full of luggage that I had to tie it. And there were two luggages in the back seat....the kids had to sit on top of them....handbags piled in the passenger seat.....and I was even sitting on some bed sheets that i was going to bring. Piled to the brim. I started worrying what would happen if the car broke down on the way....OMG.....it's sooo hard.

We drive 60 all the way to the airport......no talking, no quran, no music. We are all tense.....even the baby had the goodness to sleep. Silence. As if we were all paying tribute to the finality of what I was doing.

This.....is the end.

We get to the airport 6 hours early. Way too early....but I had no choice....where can I go with a car full of luggage? I go and park the car.....promising myself not to look back at it. I promised myself not to look back at my apt when I left....and I didn't. I didnt even look twice as I passed the villa. But while I'm walking away, I give in.....and look at the mercedes. It looks lonely. I think about the laughter and fun the girls and I have had in the car.....

Finally they are checking in luggage.....and I go over to the counter......everything is in order....and then there is a problem.....the baby wasn't issued a ticket. Somehow they messed it up. So I have to pay for a new ticket for him. I'm asking questions and trying desperately to get some help with this issue...because I've already paid....when I notice another passenger having a problem. She's about 5 mos pregnant and her luggages are overweight. They want her to pay for an extra luggage or she doesnt' fly. She's crying cuz her visa is maxed out and she has no money.....and on top of that....her family left 3 days ago.....she's stranded. I become terrified that I may not get on the plane. On the way to the bank machine, I'm told that it's broken. WHAT? I start to sweat. They tell me there is another machine inside, but that I'll need a police escort to bring me in there. Ummmmm.....can u say terrified? The woman who is leaving with her kids has a police escort? Oh boy! So he takes me thru and as I punch in the amount of money to withdraw......I hesitate.......and a brilliant idea comes to mind.....and then I punch in the amount.

I get back over to the office and see the lady pulling her luggage off the belt......tears in her eyes....struggling. I walk right up to her.....Assalaaamu alaikum. Whats going on? I ask her....She tells me about her luggages and that her family is gone.... She is going to lose her $1000 ticket because she can't pay $100.

Taking a big breath I look at her and say..."I'm going to help you. I will pay your ticket." She looks at me stunned. WHAT? I tell her again. She tells me.....her hands shaking and tears pouring....."no one has ever helped me like this before...." I tell her it's okay.....and she says she will pay me back and wants to give me her address.....I laugh at her and tell her.....I'll be with you on the plane for 5 hours.....I can talk to you about it then.....but for now....lets get us both on the plane.

And I pay her ticket and the baby's.

Can I tell you all how good I felt doing this? And I prayed that Allah would open the path for me, as I opened the path for this young woman. And I was thinking how maybe Allah let me make it to the airport JUST so I could be there for this woman. That maybe my travelling wasn't about me at all. And I want to tell you all.......YOU MADE THIS POSSIBLE!! So the blessing will pour over onto you all as well. This good deed is YOUR good deed. Because all of you who helped me, sending me money.....I used some of that money for her. May Allah bless you all. Ameen.

So we get to the passport checking area.....and we make it thru easily....no questions. And then....we board the plane.....get all seated......and I relax.

But did I? Because as much as I felt like....okay, now you can breathe.....I was like....there is SO MUCH more to come.

But for now......I was on my way.......

And when I make it to Frankfurt......there is a new difficulty that arises.......