Dealing with Potential Disaster

Where does the time go?

Here we are almost half way through August and I’ve come to accept the fact that many of the items on my “selfish Mommy” list will be perhaps left for another time.

The key is to accept it and move on.

This past weekend  I witnessed the most marvelous example of “accept and move on.”

Five of us were flying up to my sister’s cabin for a weekend family get together; the last time all of us would be together for quite some time as we’re scattered around the globe in various cities such as Toronto and LA, Montreal, London and Vancouver.

There were great plans for the arrival dinner: a celebration meal for 30. The featured item on the menu? Freshly caught sockeye salmon. James, the chef for the evening, naturally spoke of little else. He’d organized the meal down to the finest detail. His black travel bag held pure treasure. The feathered (bones removed) salmon fillets were carefully nestled in a bed of ice surrounded by packages of fresh dill, cilantro, oregano and rosemary. All was in place; we were ready to go.

The flight, a mere 30 minutes, was spectacular. The plane, equipped with one propeller per side, was tiny; the copilot served as flight attendant and the cabin door was open the entire trip. I felt as if I was landing the plane as I could see the runway growing larger and larger through the front window.

We landed with great anticipation to the fun that awaited. That is until my daughter tugged on my sleeve with a muttered “There’s a problem Mom. One of James’ bags is missing.”

His clothes had arrived but not the salmon.

I reluctantly cast my eyes his way.The entire meal was threatened. How would he cope?

His reaction was a wonder.One could sense the immediate acceptance and subsequent shift to “alternative” mode. After a thorough look inside the trunks of the two awaiting taxi cabs, he resolutely headed for the airline counter. A lengthy conversation regarding a detailed list of the contents of the suitcase and the importance of its recovery ensued.

We learned his bag was still missing in action, most likely tagged for the wrong destination. No one could tell us if it would arrive in time for dinner. This was a problem. 30 folks were anticipating salmon. James quietly outlined a hasty plan B. With our fellow travellers packed into another cab, heading for the 1:00 departure of the water taxi, he ushered me on a mission of recovery.

Blessings. Our cab driver was Mr. Info. After expressing his regret that he was unable to catch some fish for us himself, he suggested a route he considered to be the most likely one to acquire the necessary fish and herbs. However, the whole quest centred on one question. Would there be salmon in stock? Or would it all by sold out at this late hour?

Our answer was quick. As you can see in the glass case to the right, this shop was fully stocked. Dinner was saved.

And the original salmon? Well, yes it arrived… just minutes before the dinner bell.

Had James not arisen to the problem with such a calm and focussed demeanor we’d have enjoyed a simple meal of salad and bread. Thank you James.You taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of “accept and move on.”

I’m wondering about you. Have you had to pull an impossible situation out of the fire? How did you cope? It would give me great pleasure to hear.