To be neither here nor there
I’ve been spending lots of time in airports these days. I don’t really mind. I can focus on writing (like right now). There’s nothing else for me to do other than “people watch”. And people are interesting. I make friends easily which is good since I’ve found myself frequently stranded. I’m getting to know the bartenders at my home airport too. That always helps. Flights delayed or canceled are a time to connect with strangers. By the time our flight departs, we know each other’s full history. Momentary best friends. We are in this together. I once had to take a bus to Atlanta from Chattanooga to make my connection to Ft Lauderdale. At that time, I befriended a terrified college girl who was near my daughter’s age. We took the bus together. She was on my watch.
My trips have ranged from happy to sad. I have done most of my recent flying to support my sister who was dying of cancer. We didn't know she would actually die. How could she, when so many of us counted on her?
Then her husband left us. Another flight to say goodbye. But I had to fly right back to send off my sweet loyal dog who was also leaving us. As I’ve said…so many goodbyes.
Two days before my sister’s passing, my daughter got engaged. She FaceTimed me while I was with Cindy to tell her news. I was so happy that my sister was alert enough to mouth Wow! She did it. A new beginning ahead. My sister was part of that moment. And then she was gone.
My flight to the ”wedding dress reveal” was combined with my brother-in-law's passing. Happy/sad. This is life.
Today I am headed south for my daughter’s birthday. We will celebrate at a wine/food festival and shop for a mother-of-the-bride dress. Afterwards, I will take my mom to her cardiology appointment.
Flying is therapy for me. Neither here nor there. Suspended in place and time. Between Heaven and Earth. I feel like I could die and it would be alright. We are in a dead space, without phones or social media. We are present in the moment, and that is where peace can be found.
(PS…my plane has just arrived. Maybe I will be on time. I can always hope!)
Jelaine, i love to fly too. I actually don't mind layovers or delays (as long as it's on the way home. Sometimes I get a free ticket for taking a later flight. My youngest son and i love to people-watch.
loved it too - used to like flying but now i have huge guilt about it every time - plan to make next year the last time - i also love long train journeys so that is y next option xxx
people watching is the best isn't it - especially as writers, David and i make up stories about interesting people we observe and then make up stories about what they think about us - that is even more hilarious