Kohai being Kohai immediately honed in on all the plane crashes and possible terrorist hijackings if we flew. So we spent some time calming his fears, explaining that flying is about the safest modes of transportation and the likelihood of terrorists hijacking the plane on it's way to Cozumel was pretty much nil. Do terrorist go on vacations?
Anyway, with his mind at ease about crashing and hijackings he then moved on to the drug cartels in Mexico. Okay, Buddy, let's rein in that imagination and no more CNN for a while.
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| Kohai's reading material for the flight. I was impressed with his choice. He loves Star Wars and he thought the Shakespeare aspect was cool. The pug is mine, kind of a surrogate since we couldn't bring them on the trip. |
The day of our trip finally arrived and after all the lines, waiting and rummaging through suitcases, we were finally boarding the plane. Hubs and Senpai were a couple of rows in front of us. Kohai wanted the middle seat so I had the window. Both boys were excited and a little reticent.
As we waited for everyone to board, I tried to explain what was going on to Kohai and what it would feel like when we take off. I told him it's a lot like riding a roller coaster. Not sure if that helped him, but I figured it had to be better than not knowing.
Finally everyone had boarded, suitcases were stowed, the attendants were making last minute preparations while we started to taxi to the runway and then there was the announcement from the captain.
The Captain: Well folks it looks like we're going to have to go back to the terminal. We've got a switch that's not turning on and needs to be looked at before we take off. Technicians will be on board and will have it fixed in about 15-20 minutes.
It's not like they could back the plane up into the terminal, so the captain had to go down the runway and turnaround. This is where Kohai had his first mini freak-out.
Kohai: Mom, where are we going?! Don't they need to fix the switch?? Aren't they going to fix the switch?!?
Me: Yes, Baby, they're going to fix it. They just need to turn around and go back to the terminal, it will be okay.
Kohai: Okay ...
Finally, the switch was fixed and we were on our way! The plane made it's way to the runway to wait our turn to take off.
Me: See, it's not so bad. In a minute you'll feel the engines and then we'll start moving forward and it'll be like riding a roller coaster as we go up. If you want, you can hold my hand.
He declined my offer. So there we sat waiting our turn to get on the runway while my son started grabbing at his chest, al a Fred Sanford, and hyperventilating.
Me: Kohai, calm down. Slow the breathing down it will be okay.
Suddenly we feel the engines roar and he reaches over to grab my hand in a death grip. The last time my youngest son willing held my hand in public was when he was just a little boy. I firmly held on to his hand for reassurance. At the precise moment when the front of the plane lifted off the ground, he let go of my hand long enough to cross himself, twice. We're not Catholic, but I guess he figured it couldn't hurt.
We made our ascent and I started pointing out the houses and highway from the window. Thinking I'd lighten the mood, I did my best Heimlich impression from A Bug's Life.
Me: (in a German accent) From way up here, you all look like little ants!
Kohai: Mom, that's not funny ... hey, there's Six Flags!
I let go of his hand for a moment and pointed out the baseball field and immediately he reached up to put his hand back in mine. He held on until the plane leveled off, relaxing little by little.
Me: See, that wasn't so bad was it? I think in a few minutes the attendants will come around with soft drinks.
Kohai: Yeah, I was a little nervous, but I'm okay now. I think I'll read my book.
Side Note: While in Cozumel, Kohai had come across what he thought were some pretty cool necklaces. Turned out they were rosaries. As I mentioned before, we're not Catholic, but I had a feeling that if he had known what they were for, he might have asked for one as extra insurance for the flight back.
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| The flight back home. They're pros now. |
