Nostalgic for Holiday Travel
I have been traveling over Christmas vacation for over 30 years. The vast majority of trips have been to Florida. Ever since I was thirteen years old, my little brother and I got on a plane sans parents, to visit our Nanny and Poppy in Florida. Every December break, and if we were lucky, February too, was spent with my grandparents in Pompano Beach, Florida.Getting on the plane with my brother was always an adventure. Those were the days when flying was actually fun. The flight attendants gave us special attention and often brought us into the cockpit to meet the pilot. The best part, though was getting off the plane. The excitement built as we walked, then ran down the jet way to see Nanny and Poppy.
Poppy was always the first person we saw when we got to the gate. He had a big smile on his face and greeted us with tremendous fanfare. Nanny was always next to him, clutching a can filled with her homemade "sprinkle" cookies to eat in the car on the way to their home. The feeling I had seeing them at the gate year in and year out is indescribable. These two people were so happy to see me. The hugs were endless and the love like nothing I have felt before or since. Leaving behind fighting parents and teenage angst to be truly cherished and unconditionally adored for a week was the ultimate holiday gift.
One of my all time favorite movies is "Love Actually ". This film is comprised of vignettes of over-lapping love stories that make me cry every time. The movie begins and ends showing people reuniting and greeting one another at the airport gate. Scenes of husbands hugging wives, moms hugging children, friends hugging friends as they reunite after traveling. I have seen this movie at least a dozen times, and still get choked up watching the airport scene.
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