Saturday was quite a day, with four flights in order to attend a memorial service in Nashville. Let me recount the day with thankfulness for all that transpired, including the flights but especially the quality time with my wife and the honoring of a profoundly brave woman.
A Somber Trip To Nashville
My wife Heidi and I met in Frankfurt, Germany. We were next-door neighbors. One of Heidi’s roommates was named Julia and she also married an American.
Julia and her husband lived in Israel for a time but eventually settled in Lebanon, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. There, they raised their four children. It was also there that Julia felt a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Sadly, treatments were not effective and over a three-year period, the cancer spread all over her body. At the age of 35, Julia lost her battle to cancer and was ushered into the next chapter of life. She is survived by her husband Dan and four children, between the ages of two and 10.
She died on Sunday and on Wednesday it was announced her memorial service would be held on Saturday. Despite the short notice, Heidi and I determined it was important that we attend the service.
Heidi was working a 12-hour shift at her hospital on Friday and I had work meetings plus the kids…we were both exhausted and it would be a very quick trip.
Looking at flight options from Los Angeles to Nashville left very few attractive options. I thought about just booking the Spirit Airlines nonstop redeye and then getting a hotel for a few hours before the funeral…that would have been the most cost-effective option.
But the timing was not great…it left a little too early for us to comfortably make it after Heidi’s shift.
Delta had a redeye but it was $400 in economy class or $700 in first class and did not have lie-flat seats.
Ultimately, I booked us on United via Chicago because I could get a 777-200 from LA to Chicago and we’d at least get a lie-flat bed to sleep on. The flight left at 11:59 pm so we would not feel rushed at home and we’d still make it to Nashville–if flights were on time–with a couple hours to spare.
We got to LAX around 11:00 pm and parked in short-term parking…we’d be back in 24 hours.
Our flight was delayed a little bit, but we left shortly after midnight. It was a “ghetto” (high-density) 777 with eight seats across in business class. Heidi and I were in 1A and 1B and could look across the aisle at the four people in the center section starting right at us!
I like to review flights comprehensively and that includes reviewing the in-flight meal, but Heidi and I reclined the seats immediately after takeoff and within moments were asleep. It was a wise choice to book this flight and the 3.5 hours of sleep we got was solid and helped us tremendously through the day ahead.
We landed on-time in O’Hare and had about an hour before our connection. We walked over to the American Airlines Admirals Club and had a cup of coffee.
Side note: we were flying on United from Chicago to Nashville, but flying later in the day on American Airlines from Nashville to Los Angeles via Charlotte. As a oneworld Emerald member (via British Airways) traveling “same day” on a oneworld flight, I had access to the Admirals Club in ORD even though we were not flying from Chicago on a oneworld carrier.
Our flight to Nashville, operated by SkyWest on behalf of United Express, departed on time and I had a second cup of coffee…this time illy iced coffee (not bad at all).
We landed in Nashville and proceeded to the Admirals Club to change clothes for the memorial service.
We then proceeded to the rental car lot where our Avis rental car was waiting for us.
The memorial service and the burial were poignant and yet deeply cathartic. Dan delivered a stirring address about his wife and the sobering focus on the fact that everyone is inching closer to death was greatly appreciated (as was the message that Jesus Christ secured victory over death).
I was so thankful we were there. Julia’s mother was present from Germany with a friend, but no other Germans. Yet there was Heidi, a familiar face and a familiar language. It meant so much that my wife was there and I was so thankful to give Dan and his four beautiful children hugs and let them know that we loved them.
By 3:15 pm we were on our way back to the airport for our 5:00 pm flight. I filled up the car…at only $2.99/gallon (much cheaper than Los Angeles!)
After dropping off the car and proceeding through security, we stopped by the Admirals Club again and enjoyed some pulled pork and guacamole.
We then stepped onboard our flight to Charlotte, operated by Envoy, and took off around the time former President Trump was shot.
In Charlotte, we had only 45 minutes to walk from the far end of the E gates to the A gates for our connection to Los Angeles.
Our American Airlines flight to Los Angeles was operated by an A321neo. A lie-flat seat would have been lovely, but we enjoyed dinner (the food on American Airlines truly is miles ahead of the food on United Airlines) and slept until we reached LA.
Less than 24 hours later, we were back in Los Angeles after four flights and a very moving memorial service. We drove to my parent’s house, picked up the kids, and then crashed into bed.
I’m thankful that our United and American flights were (mostly) on time and for the ability to travel to Nashville at the last minute.
We seriously debated whether to go or not, but are so glad we did. If you are faced with a similar choice, go. Go. Go. Your presence means so much to the family of the deceased.
that sounds so exhausting but worthwhile, to your point.
Half price gas! Be like Canadians and fill containers of gas in the US.
Really, don’t. Very dangerous.
I’m glad you made it to Lebanon for the service.
Don’t throw red meat to the lions. You know gas isn’t $6 in LA. I paid $4.65 right in front of BUR last week, and saw gas as low as $4.29 not far away. 50% more, sure… But not double!
That’s fair enough. I was thinking about the gas station in front of Cedar Sinai which was over $6.
@Matthew … If you drive west on Burton Way over to Little Santa Monica , there is a station on the corner of Beverly Dr. which is over $6 . And significantly over by hundreds if you are photographed by the red light camera there .,
We are very sorry for your loss . A memorial with family and friends means a great deal for everyone .
[ side note : You are likely aware , being an Air Force veteran yourself , that an Airman First Class received the Medal of Honor for throwing a lighted flare out of an AC-47 , while in flight . He saved the entire crew . His name was John Lee Levitow , and he is sadly deceased . ]
Glad you and Heidi were able to arrange and go. Such an important tribute.
I for some reason love the BNA Admirals Club. Feels classic AA in a good way. I love the board of frequent flyer photos and the big AA F-100 model. It’s just generally pleasant.
Yes indeed! I took pictures of both and will publish a full review eventually.
I’m sorry to hear your loss but glad that every flight worked out without any delays.
Damn, sorry for that. Cancer effing sucks, most especially breast cancer, where you can just be screwed, just because.
That’s a tragedy. Terribly sorry for her family’s and friends’ loss.
It appears your flight went relatively smoothly so at least you didn’t have layered on stress.
I often ponder at the fragility of life. Who would think you could get cancer and pass away at only 35? When I was younger, I used to think of cancer as an old person disease that I didn’t have to worry about, but being almost 40 now, I can see that it or any other disease could cut my life short at almost anytime, Jesus or not.
It makes you really consider the need to make the best use of our very limited time.
@Chi … +1 . Fate or Luck play a part . As someone with a myriad of ailments , it could be worse .
[ side note : an Air Force Airman First Class received the Medal of Honor for throwing a lighted flare out of a AC-47 , thus saving the crew . His name was John Lee Levitow , and he passed from cancer .]
Thank you for this article on love for friends and making the effort to be there for others during their dark days. I enjoy reading your postings and am happy to read that you are a Believer in Jesus. Thank you also for faithful witness to your Readers. 1st Peter 3:15.
@Cam … +1 .