One little girl, confined to the space of 2 airplane seats, occupied by mom and dad. Mom trying to amuse her. Singing a song, playing a game, looking at books and magazines. Dad, fervently studying papers in his hand. Diagrams of sort. One read Reserve Pack guide. Another, Rip Cord. Ah… Military notes. He read them over and over. His little girl interrupting every so often. Vying for his attention. He would look at her and smile. Patient. Loving. He then went back to his sheets. Quietly repeating each step aloud. Hand gestures signaling he got it, then he would move on to the next. After a few moments he handed the sheets to his wife. She would quiz him.
Eventually the little girl fell asleep. Sprawled out stomach down across her mom and dad’s legs. So peaceful. Now, mom could rest. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, tucked under her husbands arm. Wrapped around her, in complete security. The plane was dark, except for one dimly lit light. It pointed on his papers. Little girl across his legs. Arm around his wife. Papers in the other hand, still studying. It was a moment that touched me. So beautiful.
This family sat next to me on the plane to Houston. As I observed this moment. I wish desperately I could take a picture. For me, to remember how beautiful love is. For them, to have to remember this time in their lives. Probably difficult as he goes through training. None the less loving. As I remembered I had my camera in my bag and thought about grabbing it and asking to take a picture, the cabin lights came on…moment gone. I wanted to tell this man how much I respected him. How beautiful his family was. To encourage him to keep pushing. But I was chicken. I decided to write about it so I would never forget that moment.
Today, I’m thankful for love. So full, so inspiring, so comforting. Today, I celebrate the loved ones around me. Happy Thanksgiving.
