Wine Bottle

May 5, 2017
Airports

Few places give me mixed emotions like airports. There is JOY and excitement for an upcoming adventure ,,, but mostly SADNESS because it's usually where I say goodbye to someone I love.

When I was a kid, the very first time I went to an airport was to see my Tita Dolly leave for Washington, DC. She was the first in our extended family to venture into the uncharted waters of the American East Coast. Back then, we lived a simple life and air travel was rare and so expensive. I remember all my cousins, uncles and aunts atop of the humid departure building waving to see her board the plane and her waving back. Tears flowed aplenty that day.

Years later it was always an emotional upheaval starting from the sniffs while we packed the baggage, the sobs as we went through the all-important check list and ending with the waterfall of tears during the final embrace.

The casual "I love you" would take on a deeper serious meaning as thoughts about safety and lonely moments in distant rooms would get in the mix.

"What if he misses the connecting flight?"
"What if her bags gets stolen?"
"What if I never see them again?"

I was so happy when Mom and Dad came for a visit when I was in college. When their visit ended, I brought them to the airport ... and I will always remember my Mom giving me a lingering hug and then turning around quickly so I wouldn't see her tears. Locked in the snapshot of my memory is her backside and her white pants and my Dad with his head bent low tugging their bag.

Last Tuesday my Dad's month long visit ended at the LAX airport. My heart is heavy. Although we spoke at length there was still so much we needed to cover. I wanted to understand his faith and share mine as well. God willing, I will have another opportunity before it's too late.

Airports remind me of death. But death need not be so morbid. The flight to another world is like our transition to life eternal. Though we may weep for the loss of someone dear today, in the blink of an eye we will soon be reunited for eternity where there will be no more goodbyes.

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." ---- John 14:2

This may sound corny but if you believe scripture as I do, you know this is indeed true. I don't believe we reincarnate or that we cease to exist. Something beautiful happens when we die. Our journey from life to death is part of God's intricate plan.

On our deathbed it will be our turn to say goodbye
As we head to the wonderful airport in the sky.
And as we gaze at our loved ones' tearful faces
Let's take comfort in what "Time" means in heavenly places
It won't be long ... for as we heave our final breath,
In a blink we'll be united in a better world --- a life beyond death.

* * * * * *
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all!
Zippity Doo Dah!
Zippity Day!
May-o May-o!
What a Wonderful Day!"

TGIF people!

The Wine Bottle
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

For all of us who are married, were married, wish you were married, or wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you see a bottle of wine.

A businesswoman was driving home from a convention in New Mexico when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road.

As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.

With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.

Resuming the journey, the businesswoman tried to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman, but the old lady just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail. Finally, she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to the businesswoman.

"What’s in the bag?" asked the Navajo woman.

The businesswoman looked down at the brown bag and said, "It’s a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband."

The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:

"Good trade..."

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