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March 5, 2015

How Twitter Got Me Home

46 Comments/ 5424/ 4

If you have ever wondered about the power of social media I am here to tell you that it is powerful.  It is even more powerful when coupled with the prayers of many who are working together. This past Sunday I was the recipient of a miracle and I do not take this miracle lightly.  It is a story that begs to be told and today is the day I am ready to tell it.

When Chris booked my return flight from Alabama for last Sunday he booked the early morning one that leaves Dothan at 6:30 am.  I honestly was not too thrilled about that but then when I found out that  the visitation for our dear North Iowa Blogger friend Amy was going to be on Sunday night I was glad because it meant I would make it back in time to go with my family of bloggers.  I had offered for everyone to meet at my house before the visitation so that we could be together and share a bit before so the plan was to meet there at 3:30 pm.  The plan was in place.

As is normal in all things air travel things don’t always go according to plan and a short delay out of the Dothan airport ended up in being a 4 hour delay which meant there was no way I was going to make my Atlanta connection or get to Minneapolis in time to drive the 2 hours home to go to the visitation.  As I sat in the Dothan airport the realization hit me that it was not going to be possible to  get back.

To say that I was upset would be probably the biggest understatement of the year.  I was holding it together but I was beyond disappointed.   I sent a message to the bloggers that it looked like I was not going to make it but to go ahead and meet at my house like planned.   Everyone was so sweet and supportive and then Sara messaged me and asked what airline I was on.  And then it started.

By the time I finally got on the plane to Atlanta Sara had my confirmation number and flight info and started to work magic. I was doubtful. When we landed I turned my phone back on to this message.

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What happened next is amazing. I realized that all this had come to be when I saw about a million (well, maybe not quite a million) tweets with my handle in them to Delta asking for their help in getting me home when I landed.Screen Shot 2015-03-04 at 11.00.05 AMThere were so many tweets but you get the idea from this picture.  Not only did they tweet but Sara took the lead and direct messaged Delta Assist and worked with them to get me on another flight. Amazing.

I did not make that 12:05 flight because it was actually 11:42 when I landed and I could not get from Concourse D to Concourse A by the time I deplaned at 11:56 so I went the Delta help desk because all of my friends back in Iowa and beyond were tweeting up a storm. They had gotten me this far and they were not giving up yet.

When Elaine at the Delta desk pulled up my information she said “Did you know you are on standby for every flight today?”  I looked at her and said quite simply “I’ve got people.”.   She agreed I must have and said that I was just added as number one on the standby list for the 1:47 flight and I about cried.  Number 1 is good.  The best you can get.  Then her eyes got really big.  I mean really big and she said “ooooohhhh”.  I couldn’t decide if that was a good “oh” or a bad “oh” and she said “Wait a minute.  Someone else is working on this at the same time.”

Then it happened.  She looked at me and said “You now have a confirmed seat on the 1:47 flight to MSP.  I don’t know how that is possible but you do.  Go scan this paper and it should print out your ticket with a seat assignment.”.   I know. I know.  It was a miracle.  This was a day when planes were all overbooked and there were tens of people on standby because of weather related delays and cancellations.

If I could have I would have hugged Elaine and I told her she had absolutely been the best and I would never forget her and off I went.  The rest is history.  I had plenty of time to get from there to my gate and sit still for 45 minutes making calls and texting and tweeting my news that I WAS going to make it after all.

The bloggers met at my house and took a selfie in front of my fireplace (and my sad looking Valentine’s roses that were pretty before I left for Alabama) in honor of Amy because she took selfies before there was a word for selfies.  It makes me smile every time I look at it and even though I am not in it I am there.

Photo Credit:  Donna Hup and her amazing Selfie Stick

Photo Credit: Donna Hup and her amazing Selfie Stick

The plane got in early, my suitcase arrived with me (that was another miracle) and I went directly to the visitation which was attended by probably 800 -1000 people.  I found my sweet friends and went down the row, one by one, hugging and crying and loving each and every one of them.

Photo Credit to Alicia Schmitt

Photo Credit to Alicia Schmitt who tweeted “The Eagle Has Landed”

We were able to spend precious time together grieving and remembering our sweet Amy and now we realize even more how precious and fragile life is and how wonderful our relationships are.  #AmysGift has become our hashtag for all things that remind us of Amy’s spirit and vitality and life.

So to my sisters and brother (can’t leave Bryan out) a big THANK YOU for the tweets, the prayers, and the constant reminders that you wanted me here and did everything within your power to get me back. It was bittersweet but so important to be able to be with my friends for this tribute to our friend.  My special thanks to the folks at Delta who made the impossible possible.  It truly was a miracle and I will be forever grateful.  I know Sara will be writing a post about this probably on her Social Connections LLC page so I will definitely share when she writes that post because she was the one who spearheaded the Twitter campaign on my behalf.

To those naysayers who say that social media is not important I beg to differ with you. On this Sunday in March it made the impossible possible for me and I will be forever grateful.

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46 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats
    March 05, 2015 at 06:50 am

    I was following making sure you got home! What a great story….and no doubt Amy had a hand in this:)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 05, 2015 at 06:57 am

      I know you were a huge part in this!!! I saw your tweets! Thank you!!!

      Reply
  2. Ann
    March 05, 2015 at 07:08 am

    I truly believe that friends are God’s hands. I am so glad that He’s given you so many in Iowa (and everywhere, counting the web!)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 08:59 am

      He has totally blessed me with friends!!! Including my BFF — YOU!

      Reply
  3. Cristen
    March 05, 2015 at 07:34 am

    I’m so glad you made it home. Beautiful post, gave me all kids of goosebumps. Love and thoughts your way!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:00 am

      Thanks, Cristen. It was unbelievable.

      Reply
  4. Hilary
    March 05, 2015 at 07:35 am

    ThIs is the most beautiful story ever

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:01 am

      Thank you, Hilary. It was beyond amazing and I am still having a hard time understanding how it all happened.

      Reply
  5. Denise Mendenhall
    March 05, 2015 at 07:57 am

    Wonderful ways our angels and God works for us!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:01 am

      Denise, you are so right! My earthly angels were a direct line and the prayers were definitely heard very loudly!

      Reply
  6. Katy Flint
    March 05, 2015 at 08:05 am

    I cannot possibly put into words how happy and (honestly relieved) that you made it back to us! You truly are all of our Mom and we needed our Mom with us! It wouldn’t have been right to not have you there! I could cry again just reading this as I was as I was tweeting! This will always be one of my favorite stories of the North Iowa Bloggers and #AmysGift! Love you! HUGS!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:02 am

      It is definitely a story that I will always hold in my heart. Always.

      Reply
  7. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    March 05, 2015 at 08:16 am

    Even though you told me this story just the other day and I knew the ending, I am still crying upon reading this. God is good. Those Iowa blogger friends of yours are THE BEST. And Delta, too. So thankful this all came together. Many hugs to you.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:03 am

      God is so good. All the time. No doubt about that. I have lived it and seen it and felt it from start to finish. His providence and care for us in our times of sadness is beyond words. Thanks for sharing my happiness.

      Reply
  8. donnahup
    March 05, 2015 at 08:17 am

    I’m in tears just reliving this. I am so thankful you got home and were with us. I love this story so much!! Love you!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:04 am

      I love how all of you came to bat for me during this time and that I was able to be with you guys for this night. It had to happen.

      Reply
  9. Marla aka Crazy Mom
    March 05, 2015 at 08:19 am

    I sit here reading with tears rolling…. feeling your pain, distress, joy & comfort of wonderful, amazing friends. Knowing how harrowing travel can be and that Delta worked with you and your friends to get you back asap is very heartening as well. Amazing story!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:04 am

      Thanks, Marla. It was beyond a doubt amazing and I am just now catching my breath and reading all the comments. Thank YOU!

      Reply
  10. Gretchen O'Donnell
    March 05, 2015 at 08:24 am

    What a great story! So glad it all worked out!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:05 am

      Thank you, Gretchen. It is going to be my favorite story of all time.

      Reply
  11. Lunar Euphoria
    March 05, 2015 at 09:03 am

    Such a sweet story! I’m sitting here with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:06 am

      Thanks so much. I get teary thinking about the whole sequence of events all over again. Just catching up on comments since I have been so out of it lately. Thank YOU for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment.

      Reply
  12. [email protected] There Baked That
    March 05, 2015 at 01:14 pm

    I love this and have tears in my eyes as I’m reading. What a great story!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:07 am

      Thank you so much, Steph! It took me awhile to get back to all of these comments but I am so glad that everyone likes my story. It had to be told. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  13. McGuffy Ann
    March 05, 2015 at 01:39 pm

    Wonderful story! I love this!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:07 am

      Thank you, McGuffy Ann. It was amazing. To put it mildly.

      Reply
  14. My Odd Family
    March 05, 2015 at 03:45 pm

    Oh WOW. Expect a miracle. You did and it showed up in the form of friends, Delta and Divine intervention I’m sure. So glad you made it and I am certain I see you in that Selfie.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 09:08 am

      Thanks, Katybeth. It was such an incredible mind boggling day and I think that it is just now —almost a week later–that I am catching up and realizing how fabulous this experience really was. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
  15. bocafrau
    March 05, 2015 at 08:25 pm

    There you go. Making me tear up again. I’m so glad you made it and i totally believe that social media can be used for good and in a positive way! xoxo

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 06, 2015 at 06:46 am

      I know, I know. I tear up when I think about it. It is what happens every time I think about it.

      Reply
  16. Alicia Schmitt
    March 05, 2015 at 08:31 pm

    You definitely have people 🙂 We love you Beth Ann and would have climbed the moon for you to be there!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 06, 2015 at 06:45 am

      Thank you, Alicia. It meant the world to me. I was telling Chris just last night what an amazing thing it was to walk in and see you all and be able to go down the row and hug you all. Words can’t describe.

      Reply
  17. Dianna
    March 05, 2015 at 08:40 pm

    What a wonderful experience; yes, I’m a little teary eyed right now myself. So happy it worked out for you to be there with your friends.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 06, 2015 at 06:44 am

      Thanks, Dianna. It was really a day. let me tell you, but the power of the combination of friends and prayers got me where I Needed to be.

      Reply
  18. Pix Under the Oaks
    March 06, 2015 at 07:19 am

    Makes me teary reading this in only the best way. I am so glad you made it Beth Ann!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 07:11 am

      Thanks, Pix. It was an amazing thing and I could not believe how it all worked out.

      Reply
  19. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
    March 06, 2015 at 07:35 am

    This post just makes me smile 🙂 I got out of church that Sunday and looked at my phone and was like – whoa! what is going on! It is amazing what we can accomplish if we all work together isn’t it!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 07:11 am

      It was such an amazing few hours. Wow. I still am in shock when I think about it. It was simply a miracle that happened. Plain and simple.

      Reply
  20. Jackie Cangro
    March 06, 2015 at 07:11 pm

    Amazing and wonderful! I’m so glad you made it home in time. That’s using the power of social media for good! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 07, 2015 at 07:03 am

      Thanks, Jackie. It was humbling and amazing and a bunch of other adjectives!

      Reply
  21. MommyJenna
    March 09, 2015 at 09:49 am

    I’m so happy that the girls were able to pull together and get you home. Yes, Social Media is amazing and this is just one reason why I love being able to connect!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 09, 2015 at 09:50 am

      Exactly! You get it!!! It was amazing how it all came together! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  22. Sam Scott
    March 09, 2015 at 10:39 am

    I love this story 🙂 Brought tears to my eyes!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 03, 2015 at 08:41 am

      Thanks, Sam. It was so important to be there for this with my friends.

      Reply
  23. Gerlinde
    April 03, 2015 at 07:54 pm

    Amazing story, now I have to figure out Twitter

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 03, 2015 at 08:01 pm

      Gerlinde— thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! I really appreciate it and know if you get started on Twitter you will love it!

      Reply

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