[joyfulme3x]

On the chance you are checking this board today, I want to say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart for your encouraging words in the Continental Express terminal at IAC last Thursday...

I was at the end of my rope after 30 hours of traveling home from China with my sweet newly-adopted daughter, who had had 5 diaper blowouts at 35,000 feet. Both of us were so exhausted and walking into the terminal to find a mess of weather-related flight cancellations just about did me in. I was almost in tears as I realized that the last leg of our trip home was not to happen that night and we would have to find a hotel in this unfamiliar city. Then a man in line next to us asked how long I had had my daughter and I said "a few days" and he smiled and said, "I know how you feel." He continued, "I'll bet you're thinking, 'how does that guy know how I feel? But I do...we just adopted a 3 1/2 year old from Kirov, Russia a few months ago." He reassured me that we would get through the trip, and before heading on his way he assured me that the life ahead is "a good, good life."

Those simple words of encouragement reminded me that the exhaustion of the trip was just a blip in the grand scheme of the wonderful life ahead with our daughter.
I dried my tears and sure enough we got through, and the next day we were home and all was well.

Thanks so much to that kind gentleman who took a moment to pass on those words of encouragement.

[jkkclinton]

It's people like that man that make this world a happier place. I'm glad that God was able to encourage you through a stranger. Enjoy your new daughter!!
Krista

[Pinkie]

Glad you made it home safe and sound and CONGRATULATIONS.

I believe in angels and glad one gave you wonderful words of encouragement to help you on your journey home last week.

[waitinginnj]

Hope you find your angel. How great of you to try to acknowledge him.

Welcome Home - Glad everyone is doing better!

[jimpol]

I just teared up reading this.

It is truly amazing how a few kind words can make things better!

Good Luck to you!

[heikewould]

It goes to show you that you just never know who will brighten and lighten your load. God Bless him and his kind words.

Congratulations to your family.

[mikeintexas]

Some awfully kind folks pass through IAH... May God bless your journey with your new family.

Mike

[wtjames59]

Joyful - we sort of know how you feel and had a few experiences as we were coming home that were similar. We were very tired and wrung out on our Aeroflot flight home last week and then got stuck on the runway to deboard and then missed our connecting flight to make the last leg home. Despite not being able to get us on our plane (while it kept getting delayed in front of us) they were very sympathetic and encouraging. We had to go to the Marriott Courtyard and got the last room at the inn. They were super and gave us as much complimentary things they could and wished us the best. Then Midwest Express (or favorite airline) stepped up when we called and made room for our family to make the final leg home to Milwaukee. It was a big relief to come home to welcome and support from understanding people along the way. Congratulations and a belated welcome home.