Departures

We get to the gate with plenty of time to spare. You can't help noticing all the people who are waiting for their flights. Teenagers curled up on the small chairs trying to get a nap in before the overnight flight. Businessmen busy on their computers, cell phones and blackberries; trying to finish work before the communication blackout. And then there's the families; husbands and wives cheerfully holding hands, children climbing over parents, reading books and fighting for time with the video games. All is good.

Then someone from the airline reports that boarding will begin soon. As if on cue, the families smiles fade. The wife's eyes start to tear. The children rush back for a spot on dad's lap. The husband (in this case an Army man) trying to hold on to all of his family at once. You look around and see the same story being played out across the terminal.

I felt like I was intruding on something very private. I looked away. Even though that was almost nine months ago, I still get teary thinking about it.