It is November 8th, and I am sitting in a Seattle airport lounge on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, waiting to fly home. Thanks to our government, I gained about 15 pounds today by indulging in free cookies and sipping coffee.
My Delta jet has been ready for many of us to board, but so far, the only thing that has made it on board is my luggage. This flight has already been delayed for four hours, and since we were advised to arrive early, I have been here for six hours.
Around me, some people are asleep (they’re the lucky ones), while others have resigned themselves to drinking coffee and battling tiredness.
Today, it seems that God has chosen to spare Seattle from rain. The sky is starting to transition from a sunny blue, with a few fluffy white clouds, to the evening hues typical of the West Coast. If I take my eyes off this computer screen and glance out the window, I can see Mount Rainier standing tall and proud, its slopes blanketed in layers of white snow. I find it comforting to know that neither our government nor any human can alter this magnificent example of God’s creation.
While sitting, enjoying my cookies and waiting for the Atlanta airport to welcome us home, I realized that, as traumatic as air travel is today, I at least have food. There is a spectacular view out the window, and eventually, I will have a bed to rest my weary head.
I am not an air traffic controller or a TSA agent who has no choice but to work long hours without pay. I do not have minor children waiting for a meal that I can no longer provide. While those in charge seem incapable of understanding how to empathize with others, we continue to wait — for planes to depart, for money to circulate, and for meals to be served.
I could wallow in self-pity or complain, but whenever I start to feel exhausted, I think of the hungry child and the fatigue of the few who are working hard to keep us safe in the skies above the mountains.
When I approached a friendly Delta agent to inquire about conditions in Atlanta, she responded, “Take a seat, and I will check for you.” I sat across from a beautiful woman who was focused on her computer—a business traveler heading to Denver.
We began to converse, and before long, we found that we were kindred spirits who shared the same beliefs and had solutions for all the world’s problems. We laughed about how similar we were, even though Lisa was prettier and much younger, and her flight was on time.
After she left for Denver, I was struck by the unexpected friendship that had formed in our shared weariness. It reminds me that even in tough times, there are moments of light and hope. These chance encounters are like little gifts from a mighty Lord, showing us that even strangers can become friends through shared experiences.
I have just spent two weeks helping my daughter settle in a city on the other side of the world. It may be just across America, but it seems as far away as Australia. My eyes are swollen from tears, and my right hand is sore from painting walls and working.
The lounge is quickly emptying, and Mount Rainier has disappeared into the night. The cookies are crumbling, but the Delta group is still smiling, which reminds me of the inherent goodness in people. I will vote for them in the next election. They might not be experts in making laws, but to me, kindness is more important.
Later…..in retrospect:
Finally, we flew from Seattle and landed in Atlanta, exiting through the furthest gate to reach baggage claim. My swollen feet made it difficult for me to walk, but I managed to get there in the end. We waited another 30 minutes for our luggage, which looked just as ragged as I felt.
I collapsed into bed around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning. As I tried to drift off to sleep, the events of the day played through my mind. The last image I vividly recalled was of the people stranded at the airport, blankets draped over their shoulders as they waited endlessly.
Eventually, they would find themselves in a warm bed, waking up to the aroma of a good meal. However, there are those who may not have a home or food to greet them. Will there be friends or family to provide comfort? Will acts of kindness offer them hope? Will those who complain recognize the Lord standing in the shadows and express gratitude for what they have, even as they wait and wait?
