We are organized, bags packed and weight checked, our carry ons edited to the current standards of the TSA, cab preordered. There is the final check of I.D.s, credit cards, phone charger and flight information. I give the cat one final peck on the head, this is more for me than it, as it is probably wondering when you are leaving, as you assured her you would, giving it the house to herself. She has been looking forward to this. We lock the door, securely stow the keys, as we won't be needing them until we return, and we are on our way.
On this particular early morning the sun is bright and the traffic is light making the initial portion of this trip uneventful.
As we pull up to the terminal we enter a chaotic storm of cars, cabs, airport shuttles and luggage, many of the bags seeming to have taken on a life of their own, moving about at will at terrifying speeds. From the cab's windows I catch a glimpse of a final hug between two friends or family members as one departs. Inside the terminal people fight through a labyrinth of stanchions and counters, checking in or going through the rigors of airport security. Some scurry, luggage trailing behind them, checking flight status, some look over shoulders trying to see the end of the stanchion maze they are currently winding their way through. It resembles, to some extent, like the base of an anthill.
All are masked, a holdover of the recent, turbulent times. Now that I no longer have to wear one to work, the gym or the grocery store, it is amazing how quickly I have become unaccustomed to them.
On this particular early morning we stop by a food court to obtain desperately needed coffee before proceeding to our gate. Fast food orders are shouted from counter to kitchen, personal conversations are loud, people on cell phones are yelling over the din to make themselves heard by the person on the other end.
On this particular early morning our flight leaves from the last gate in the terminal. We sit, there are not many others in the waiting area yet and we find a somewhat quiet, peaceful moment.
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