Recently, my boyfriend and I attended the wedding of some dear friends of ours in New York. And with less than 48 hours to gallivant around one of my favorite cities in the world, we seriously pushed the limits. Squeezing in as much as we possibly could up until the very last minute.
Literally.
About an hour and a half before our flight home, friends politely nudged us out the door. Eyes wide saying, “What time did you say your flight was? You better get going!”
Not wanting to leave, we had been stalling. Or rather, I had been stalling. You see, I have a love affair with New York that goes way back. But alas, we finally jumped into a cab and off we went.
After an hour of sitting in traffic, Greg said, “No way are we going to make it.” To which I said, “Of course we will.” “No, you don’t understand. Our plane takes off in 19 minutes and we’re 16 miles away. I’m gonna start looking for rooms in Hoboken. The next flight we can take is at 6am.”
Perhaps it was the thought of not staying in Manhattan that night if we missed our flight, or perhaps it was the idea of having to wake at 4 o’clock in the morning to catch the next available flight after NOT having stayed in Manhattan, that sent me into a blaze of faith.
“Don’t worry. We’ll make it!”
He continued to search online for hotels, shaking his head in disbelief, but I was adamant. And politely reminded our driver we were going to miss our flight if he didn’t press the pedal to the metal.
Pulling up to Newark Airport with 10 minutes to spare, I ran to the American Airlines counter to alert them we were on the premises and to please hold the plane. The attendant, unfazed by my frenzy, simply pointed the way toward the security line.
Clearly she was going to be no help at all.
So I ran directly to the TSA agent at the front of security and asked him if we could pass through right away since our flight was about to take off.
“Yeah,” he said with his Jersey accent. “So long as no one else minds. Does anyone mind if these two cut to the front so they don’t miss their flight?”
Luckily no one argued.
I glanced at my phone- 5:17pm. Plane takes off in 8 minutes. I still had hope.
After scrambling through the x-ray machines, I ran the last leg of our race solo as Greg gathered up our luggage. Approaching gate A15, I saw the door slowly closing to our flight.
So close!
I darted up to the podium.
“We’re on that flight! Is there any way you can let us on?”
“No ma’am. They already closed the door. Are you Ingrid Schaffenburg?” said the ticket girl with no concern whatsoever on her face.
“Yes. But they JUST closed it! I just saw them! Is there anyway?”
“No. I’m sorry. But I can book you on the next available flight.”
Not giving up, I paused and again asked very calmly, “Please. Is there anyway you can get us on that flight?”
Then the girl standing next to her said, “Wait, I think they’re coming back up to open the door.”
Apparently somebody cared.
“But is Greg with you?”
“Yeah, he’s right there!” as I pointed to a random crowd of travelers. Not a Greg in sight.
“He has to be here…”
“He is… he’s right… there!”
And as fate would have it, we boarded our plane at exactly 5:25pm.
Greg was stumped for quite a while afterward.
“They don’t reopen the door for ANYONE! I think it’s TSA policy that once that door is closed, it’s closed. How in the world did that just happen?!”
“Belief baby. I just believed.”
Greg is now seriously considering employing me somehow in his new business after witnessing this feat that I managed to pull off.
To him, myself, and to all of us… all I gotta say is this:
If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. You can MAKE the impossible, POSSIBLE just by believing you can. And even if a door closes in your face, the possibility still remains that it will open again.
So what “impossible” feat would you like to make a reality TODAY? What dream would you accomplish if you knew you could not fail? How much do you really believe in your ability to succeed? Is there an example in your life where sheer belief led to making the impossible possible? Would love to hear your stories so do share!
Ingrid Schaffenburg's Blog 
Every day is like this for me. I’m a single mother and just being able to do the impossible: pay the bills, keep things running, be there for my two children who in a few years will be facing these same situations themselves as they start their own lives. It takes God, for me, to make it through the day. I couldn’t do it without him. I hope they trust in him for their own lives.
That’s beautiful Traci. And I’m sure they will since you’ve already set that example for them 🙂
I do not recall laughing quite so much while reading this tale. I can see it all now. Yes, the impossible can become possible with faith and trust. Personally my faith and trust lies wholly with God. Others have their own beliefs. But I know that whatever my needs may be, they are always met. Sometimes not quite as I had envisioned, but always with results. Bless you for sharing this story of FAITH and POSITIVE THINKING. To me, they go hand in hand.
Amen to that Maggie! I completely agree 🙂
Hi Ingrid. Your posts are a true inspiration. Keep ’em coming. Let’s have lunch one day soon. Nancy Farrar
Thank you! Would love that. Let’s shoot for the first part of May.
How about May 5 at noon?
You are one powerful belief system!
I’m glad you both made it home safe. We need to catch up! I want to hear all about the new place and new job!
For sure Jess! Chat next week?
Yes!!!! That sounds fabulous!
Sweet!
Great blog, Inge, about Faith and Believing!
Love,
Mom
Thank you Mom 🙂
Ingrid,
Not just an edge-of-my-seat kind if story but so well written I was ready to read the next adventure! Glad you made it on the flight and even happier you shared your awesome story!
Thanks Andi! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂