Anatomy of an Airport Goodbye (Newsletter No. 43)
’Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Lighthearted chit chat at the check-in counter. A young aunt teases her nephews while their parents talk to the agent, the grandparents look on quietly. The nephews rough-house the elephantine luggage while their mother scolds them and the aunt laughs, as if it were just another afternoon at the park or morning in the kitchen.
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But at customs, the cheery goodbyes morph into inevitable grief when the family members divide into two branches once again. The elderly grandpa/father/husband puts an arm around the grandma/mother/wife as their adult daughter and her family make their way to the other side of the security partition. They both look on as if they’re simply watching a mildly interesting digital advertisement. They both blow their noses and clear their throats as if it’s simply allergenic dust in the air. Finally they wipe their eyes, acknowledging the tears. The aunt/daughter/sister follows a similar progression, her mouth contorts and braces, hoping that this facial yoga will stop the crying. But it doesn’t, it only makes her throat hurt. The leaving group keeps turning around to wave as they move deeper into the security area. Yes, the family is still there waving. Turn around again, yes, the family is still there waving and smiling and reassuring and so on…until finally they are out of view of each other. The staying family sighs and begins their walk back to the air trains, just as the leaving family is probably looking up their departure gate. The tears calm, as the staying family slowly feels and accepts the return to daily life without visitors.
Maybe you’ll still be in a daze tomorrow, and the day after that. But by next week it will be back to the status quo. This knowledge doesn’t make you feel better, it’s bittersweet. That you can stand to be away from someone you love so much for so long!
🎶 Piece of the Day 🎶
Today I’m highlighting the Rough (and Rock) Heart Charm. The more we (can) travel, the more pieces of us we leave behind in new and old places, the more our hearts chiseled and tenderized.
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Our Summer Giveaway is now closed!
Winners: I’d like to announce and congratulate @ajeftinija for winning the Instagram giveaway and @ameliaduffyy for winning the Tiktok giveaway! Woohoo! 🎊 Thank you so much to everyone who participated!!!
Until next time,
xKristy
Ps. Bonus song: telepatía