I flew home from Iowa Friday night. Almost in first class. Almost. One seat away.
There is a lot of corn in Iowa. But you already knew that. Did you know corn is 9000 years old and was discovered in Mexico? Did you know it makes food, fuel, booze, sweetener, cow food, oil, and corncob pipes? Corn.
I got bumped to Comfort + on the flight home. One seat behind first class. I watched as the flight attendant served real cocktails in real glasses to the folks in front of me. The elites. Ah, the good life.
I am getting closer, I thought to myself smiling a little.
Across the aisle from me was an older lady. Grandma age. Next to her was a heavyset boy. Maybe around 9 or 12 years old. Handicap. I watched an agent wheel him onto the plane when we were boarding.
He wore bulky headphones and was glued to an iPad. She massaged his right foot at one point. I guess to make sure there was blood circulation. The rest of the time she filled out a crossword puzzle and ate snacks from a clear ziplock bag. I wondered if she was his grandmother. Too old to be his mom. The sacrifice she must make for him, I thought. True love.
The girl sitting next to me got a red wine. She was attractive and in her mid-thirties. Seemed tired though. Halfway through the flight, she put white sticker things under both her eyes. The flight attendant, a jacked dude in an extra medium uniform, asked if she was ok when he saw the large bandaid-looking things under her eyes. She told him they reduce the bags under her eyes. I noticed she had a huge wedding ring and was watching The Big Bang Theory on her phone. I wondered if she was happy. Then I wondered if marriage works or is a broken technology. The failure rate is somewhere around 80%. I have never watched The Big Bang Theory.
One seat away.
I would never pay for a first-class seat. I can’t justify it. For the past 25 years, I have traveled the world. 15-hour flights, 18-hour flights, 36-hour travel days. All coach seats.
I have a sacred vision for myself though. A dream. A moment in time, that if when occurs, means I made it. In this moment in time, I can see what I am wearing and where I am standing. I know where I am going and why. I can see it crystal clear in my mind and I’m getting closer.
One seat away.
We are all one seat away. We all have dreams and goals and aspirations. Maybe your one seat away is finding a better job. Maybe it’s losing two pounds. Maybe it’s starting that business you keep thinking about or simply having two good days in a row where you feel happy. Maybe it’s calling your dad for the first time in three years.
Maybe you are already in first class and your one seat away is flying private. If so, invite me.
Smile knowing you are only one seat away.
Trey