I watched the Manhattan skyline disappear as we advanced over 10,000 feet and turned south. All I could think of was that fifteen years ago today over four hundred people also got on a plane thinking they too were returning home to loved ones. Another three thousand plus people thought they were just beginning another normal day at work.
I don’t know how to describe the feeling.
Alongside the joy of seeing my grown daughter for three days was an ache in my soul that was slowly building since Saturday afternoon as we passed a small cluster of fire fighters and later heard sirens as we walked down Prince street. I knew there were ceremonies happening over the weekend. I saw people in large groups leaving St. Patrick’s cathedral Sunday morning, most in Dress Blues.
The angst of going back home distracted me for the last four hours I was in Manhattan. (I only have one child I’ve raised mostly on my own – some of you single moms surely understand.)
It wasn’t until I reached the terminal that I noticed some differences. Sunday is usually a busy airport day. Not today. Getting through security to have my carry on scanned took only five minutes. Here’s the catch – any, and I mean any abnormality on the walk through scanner resulted in a “pat down”. The only thing that helped minimize the awkwardness of it was seeing two other people also getting “checked”, one person looked like someone’s grandmother and the other was a woman about my age. The airport is doing their job – that’s all that mattered.
The humor of my first official “frisking” was ellipsed by hearing Taps being played off in the distance as I seated myself by my gate.
I questioned whether I was going to post tonight until a few minutes after I found my sear on the plane, 11D. A gentleman in dark pressed pants, a white dress shirt with stripes on the arm and airport badge sat next to me.
I couldn’t help myself. I turned to him.
” Is there anything special done today to help the people that work for the airport?”
He looked at me quizzically. I added more.
“I mean, um, spiritually, emotionally.”
He looked straight ahead at the T.V. in front of him. Fox T.V. was beginning a special on the anniversary of 9/11. In the background was a picture of the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers.
“No.”
He said it slowly and never looked at me again for the 2 1/2 hour flight home.
____________________
Heartfelt prayers to the families and friends that have suffered a loss of a loved one and don’t get to make more memories with them.
Don't Curse the Nurse! 