humanity seen at the airport

airports make me see human life differently… with a clearer, more empathetic lens

i smile at everyone who walks by as if their life contains more joy, more hardship and sadness and complexity than the person next to me in traffic or in the grocery store check out line.

everyone is just almost there- almost home, almost to the place where they can finally relax, almost to the work trip they’ve been dreading, almost to their lover they left behind a few states away.

they wear their emotions not even on their faces but all around them.

i feel the child’s excitement and nervousness for her first vacation she will actually remember- she has more autonomy and personality.

i feel the parents eagerness to see their child again after being empty nesters for the last 4 months- they don’t understand how time was stolen from them so quickly.

i feel the heart ache of the woman who is going back home after being with her long distance boyfriend- dreading the empty, cold sheets next to her as she lays in bed

i feel the elderly couple’s aching body and disheartened soul knowing they can’t adventure like they used to- their knees hurt and they’re afraid to admit all they want to do is nap.

I feel the family of 5’s loneliness as they stare into their separate devices- at least a false sense of connection feels good.

each of their stories brushes against mine, that brush against another.

stories constantly moving past each other.

i can feel it all my shoulders dodging left and right.

i can’t tell if i want to barrel over and put my head in my hands or watch and feel in awe of my humanity tied to everyone else’s.