On Monday, I got on a plane and flew to Mississippi. In order to get me to the airport on time, we had to pick Alden up early from school. All the other kids were very curious about why Alden had to leave early. Curious and somewhat traumatized. Various of the other kids huddled around her protectively. “We’re going to miss you, Alden,” one of them said.
Keep in mind that Alden was leaving school at 1:00 instead of 3:30 and would be returning the next day.
When it was explained that Alden was leaving to take her papa to the airport, the kids were excited. “Ooh! The airport,” they said. When it was revealed that I would be flying to Mississippi, the excitement was amplified. It was as if I were traveling to another planet.
And perhaps I have. Instead of my usual oatmeal, I ate biscuits and gravy for breakfast this morning. With a sausage patty and scrambled eggs, of course.
Which is to say, if I’m on another planet, it’s one I’d like to visit more often.