263 ~ Light on the horizon – Part 12 ~

[01/23, 09:16]

My phone beeps with a message from our host:

Salaam …
So excited
❤

How has my heart longed to meet a family I hold so dear

After five years these long awaited moments are now here

Only a few hours remain before we reunite

With unexplainable joy and squeals of delight

TRAVEL JOURNAL

Port Elizabeth

11:25

Left home at good timing to beat long queues

11:44

Reached airport.

Airline authorities have to be informed about wheelchair patients or specific requirements such as oxygen or any other at least a day in advance. We didn’t call before hand but the lady was cool and directed us to the wheelchair section so everything could be arranged.

A wheelchair assistant then took over. We made chit-chat while she pushed me along and her good nature added to the happy vibes. One advantage of needing a wheelchair is skipping long lines and you’re rolled into the plane first.

Excuse me, excuse me

People shuffle aside in a jiffy and she settles you inside before most people.

When the aircraft lands, remain seated until all the people on board disembark. An air hostess brings the wheelchair out and takes you by the opposite side of the steps. I captured random images because I was impressed with the officials remarkable service and overall accessibility for people with disabilities.

12:51

Boarded. We requested the air hostess to swap our seats as 23 A – B – C so we could sit together and it worked in our favor Alhamdulillah. I recieved a window view. One tip is to wipe arm rests and surrounding places that will be touched with a disinfectant.

Image attached at the end of all travel duaas including بسم الله مجراها و مرساها ان ربي لغفور الرحيم

13:00

Euphoria kicks in full force once the plane glides upwards and I try to suppress my laughter when all eyes fall onto a row of ladies behind us who make a ruckus of dramatic synchronized screams when we experience few minutes of turbulence while ascending through the clouds. I held tight and closed my eyes feeling dizzy but once we were above the clouds the remainder of the flight went smoothly without any shakes or jolts. Alhamdulillah I did not require the APAP machine while airborne.

Hold tight and follow the course of your dreams

Hope may turn them into reality sooner than it seems

A zillion hurdles conquered and I reached the pinnacle after three years

Flying now is no ordinary feat, but one that calls for gratitude and cheers

Mid-way through, lunch was served much to our surprise because domestic airlines don’t usually offer meals but probably because this was british airways (kulula). Lol meals don’t make a difference to us.

I then drifted into a brief sleep and awoke to the non-stop chatter of ladies behind us, but was glad to be awake so these moments could be utilized for reflection.

Just as the plane heads towards our destination and this journey will soon terminate, the ticking of time between each daybreak and sunset signals the shortening of our stay on earth.

The passage of time reminds us that we’re all traveling to our final destination, some are destined to reach earlier and others later.

Life slides from our grip rapidly and takes us closer to the end when our bodies are deposited into earth and the soul of a righteous person will be ushered towards the heavens until its gates are opened upon request

So just as I pack and prepare at great length for short-lived travels on earth or through sky, my life’s daily go-abouts are rooted in consciousness. I arise in the morning and ground myself by renewing my purpose for going on…

To be a glimmering star or ray of sunlight for people who find their days and nights caved in darkness. To work on my visions of service for humanity and fulfill the roles I’ve been entrusted so it can be a means of provision and salvation for my travel to the life after.

و ما تدرى نفس ماذا تكسب غدا

و ما تدرى نفس باي ارض تموت

When and where the line of life will drop flat, none can foretell

Awaken oh soul in oblivion and remember – remember to prepare well

A traveler I am, a traveler you are

And our final homes are not afar

Closer to descent the pilot took a roundabout over the ocean and I gazed in awe

All praises to you my Allah – for the priceless ability to see

This breathtaking view of the sun shone ocean below me

The picture attached next is the same on my Instagram profile. A friend once commented saying it stirs the wanderlust in her but I specifically chose this one so it can serve a continous reminder of the time when dreams and duaas entwined each time I open the account.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞

𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞

⏲️⏳🤲

14:50

Aircraft touched down in the windy city of Port Elizabeth with a heart that behaved itself considerably. Alhamdulillah 🎉🎉🎉

Our host picked us up and inquired if we’d prefer to drive along the short route or a longer coastal view? Without hesitation we opted for the latter according to Drs jovial words

“Might as well let the joll start”

😂😂😂