It was a series of mishaps yesterday morning as we traveled to Phoenix for Thanksigiving.  Despite my very thorough travel checklist, halfway to the airport we realized we left the stroller in the garage.  Once we got the airport, we realized we left Kate’s backpack in the kitchen with her favorite Anna and Elsa Frozen dolls, books, toys, pillow, and blanket.  In a 3-year old’s mind, this could be one of the worst things imaginably possible.

But worst of all in reality was the moment when, once we boarded the plane and were settled, I went to pull out some breakfast for the kids, and I realized I had left our small cooler of food in the airport restroom.  Which, in most cases, wouldn’t be that big of a deal, except when you’re traveling with a 1-year old who is allergic to just about everything.

We were literally the last people to board the plane so I thought there was no time to go back, and I started worrying about what Dean was going to eat for breakfast and lunch on our 3 1/2 hour flight.  Matt told me to run up to the front to see if they’d closed the gate and ask if I could quickly run to the restroom.  Luckily, they hadn’t, and they agreed.  So I sprinted back up the jetway, into the restroom, and damn, it was gone!

So I ran all the way back, now panicking about the thought of how dreadful the flight was going to be.  No one likes a crying fussy child on an airplane, especially if you are the crying fussy child’s parent.  Dean is not cool if he goes hungry, and he will let you know it!  Thankfully, in our backpacks, we at least had a few corn Chex and a banana so there was some relief.

When I got back on the plane, empty-handed, one of the flight attendants said, “We have food for purchase.  There’s a list in the back of the magazine.”  To which I replied, “It would be OK but my son has some significant food allergies.  I don’t know if there’s going to be anything he can eat.”

I looked in the magazine when I got back to my seat and quickly scanned the list…anything plain, anything simple…yogurt, fresh fruit cup?  No, no.  That one has eggs, wheat, chickpeas, nuts…on the entire breakfast and lunch menu, I do not exaggerate here, there was not ONE item he could eat.

When the lady came around with the food cart, she asked if I found anything.  I replied no and asked further anyway, “Do you have any yogurt or fresh fruit cups?”  She showed me a cheese box and said, “I have this.”  “Unfortunately, that won’t work.”  (There were grapes which are fine but also a hard-boiled egg, a biscuit, and mixed nuts.) “He’s allergic to eggs, wheat, and nuts, but thanks.”  To which she replied, “Let me see what happens up front in first class after everyone is finished eating and see if there’s anything left.  Worst case, I’ll just pull the grapes out of this container.”  In my head I’m thinking, it doesn’t quite work like that (when all the items he’s allergic to are touching the grapes) but I wasn’t going to get into the details.  Trust me lady, you don’t want this kid going into anaphylaxis 30,000+ feet up in the air just as much as I don’t.

Thankfully, there were leftovers.  The same lady brought back a yogurt and unopened fruit bowl (score!) and corn flakes (which didn’t work because they also contained wheat but certainly appreciated the thought).  Overall, I was really impressed about how accommodating everyone was in helping us.

The next time we leave the house, and Matt asks me, “Do we have everything?” and I reply, “As long as we have the epi-pens, we’re OK”, next time I might also add Dean’s food to the list.

This Thanksgiving, be thankful for the foods you can eat and how easy it is to consume them for the majority of us.  Hope you and your families have a bountiful meal, whatever it consists of.