It was my understanding that we probably wouldn’t have any contact with each other while she and her group were providing assistance to a small community. But I discovered an e-mail from her when she visited a larger town, where Wi-Fi was available. It was comforting to know that she had arrived safely and things were going well. I responded that every living creature at our house was doing fine also.
As we got closer to her return, I had an idea. I called Indianapolis International Airport and asked about the possibility of Stuart, our therapy dog, coming inside the airport to help greet his human mom and the other 14 folks returning from Ecuador. The lady confirmed that it would be OK as long as I had Stuart’s therapy dog paperwork.
I talked with Lyn on the phone while she had a layover in Miami and found out when she’d be arriving to Indy.
Our daughter, Michelle, came to our house, and we were off to the airport. Michelle and Stuart discussed who was going to ride shotgun ... they decided to share the seat.
To get from the parking garage to the concourse involves riding in several elevators. But this was nothing new to Stuart, and he handled the rides just fine. He did encounter something new after the elevator rides. Between the parking garages and the concourse is a long hallway with glass on both sides and a moving walkway to ride, which Stuart handled fairly well.
We found the area where people came to retrieve their luggage and waited for Lyn. She spotted us when she was halfway down the escalator, and that’s when we saw her. Big hugs and kisses were in store for all of us.
Lyn needed to use the ladies room, and Stuart gave me this look of panic; I tried my best to reassure him that she would return shortly.
We visited with some of the folks who were on the missions trip with Lyn. A lot of people walked over to pet Stuart. One mom was carrying her young daughter and the little girl got so excited that her mom held her down so she could pet a dog for the first time.
When we were heading back toward the parking garage, Stuart was walking with Lyn. Stuart stepped onto the conveyor belt and rode it like a pro. When reaching the end of the line he leaped into the air, perfected an Olympic dismount and continued on his way.
Things are back to normal at our house now. Everyone and every animal is happy.