SLIG Day One - The Comfort of a Community

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy – SLIG !- I’m finally here!  I arrived last evening.  My flight from Seattle was nice, with an empty seat beside me.  We arrived early.  Things were great.  And then there was BAGGAGE CLAIM.  Several of my fellow travelers shared the dreaded luggage fiasco – we were in Salt Lake City but our bags were in Seattle.  Alaska Airlines promised they’d deliver the bag to my hotel, whenever it arrived.

So suitcase-less I hopped on TRAX, the local lightrail to get downtown.  I got off at the nearest stop, walked the block and half to the hotel, rode the elevator up to the conference floor and entered the ballroom for the orientation at 5:29, one minute before the start of the orientation session.  And at 5:38, my pulse rate down to normal, I looked around my seat… under my coat… next to my backpack… and I had... no purse.  I think I must have left it on TRAX.

On Sunday evening, calls to the TRAX lost and found went to voicemail.  I’d just have to wait til Monday morning to talk to someone.  I posted my tale of woe on the SLIG facebook group, told a few friends and in minutes my phone messenger app was filling up with so many offers of support – “I’m sending my husband with cash – what room are you in?” “I’ve got a Starbucks card for you.” “Can I do anything for you?”  “I can lend you a spare set of pajamas” and more…

This is such a wonderful community.  Attending my fifth SLIG, I’m greeted with warm hugs and beaming smiles.  I love coming here.  And after the wonderful offers of support in my time of stress I love it even more.
​
My suitcase did (finally) show up, late late late last night.  Still hoping for a good word on the purse.  But I know that any twinge of sadness if my purse remains lost will fade to nothing as I continue to bask in the warm embrace of this wonderful genealogical community.

---