Lucky Lady

I had a bit of luck happen on my way back to Iraq from Arizona.  I had completely forgotten about it until today.  Elizabeth and I went to see a movie and in it the characters went to Paris.  I asked Elizabeth if she had ever been to Paris.  I said that I hadn't either, with the exception of the 50 minutes I spent in the airport catching my next flight.  Then there was a shot of the Eiffel Tower and I was reminded of how there have been times in my life that things just work out.  Let me explain.

When I arrived in Paris on my way back to Iraq.  As I mentioned, I had a mere 50 minutes to get to my next flight and could have used a meal of substance.  I was tired and hungry and in a hurry.  I thought, maybe that I would have a spare minute to get a bite to eat near my gate.  I arrived at the gate only to discover they had already started boarding and there weren't any lines-a sure sign that a bite to eat was not to be had.  I got on my plane only to discover a woman in my seat.  It was a window seat.  I believe when I was booking my flight I knew that I wouldn't have much of a chance to see Paris so I had better make the most of it.  This woman seemed very settled so I switched to her seat.  It too was a window seat, on the opposite side of the plane.

We took off and I stared out the window at the City of Love.  I realized that other than the Eiffel Tower, I didn't really know what to look for.  I had forgotten about the Pyramid of the Louvre that also would have been noticeable from the airplane.  I didn't get to see anything special.  It just looked like a pretty typical city from that airplane.  Just when I was about the give up hope, the plane started to turn.  And, we didn't just turn, the plane turned around the Eiffel Tower.  That's right, we made the turn and almost flew completely around it.  You are never going to believe it, but it was on MY side of the plane.  My new side that is.  If I had made a big deal and made the lady switch seats with me, I would have completely missed it.  Instead, not only did I get to catch a glimpse, I got to really check it out.  I am so lucky.  Love, M.