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‘Oh, the places we’ll go’

Sept. 2, 2015

By Tracy Leonard
Contributing writer

Vacation, business, holidays, funeral, wedding, reunion… why did you recently travel by airplane to another leonarddestination? Since we’ve all probably experienced travel by air at one time or another, I thought it would be interesting to explore life in the airport.

Recently, I traveled both to New York City and Washington, D.C. for work related functions. As I anxiously waited in the airport, I began to people watch – the captivating activity I’m sure you can easily relate to.
My mind started to take over from thoughtless people-watching to intense critical thinking. It was then that I knew I owed it to myself to carefully examine life in an airport as more than a mere logistical piece of a business trip itinerary.

So I decided to write this article in hopes of capturing the thought provoking ideas in my mind, but also to perhaps inspire or entertain you.

First, let’s explore why people travel. Some travel to challenge themselves or enjoy new experiences such as studying abroad, volunteering for a mission trip or participating in a race of some kind. Others travel to seek respite, to rejuvenate, or to renew their mind, body or spirit. Perhaps they are traveling by plane to vacation, to retreat, to see the world, to learn a new language or culture, or to reunite with family and friends.

Venturing into the unknown or perhaps known can be new and exciting. Perhaps some travel to cross places and events off a bucket list. The “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” mentality may be what motivates one to get out and see the world or seeing how other countries and societies operate can give one a deeper appreciation for their own culture. With this appreciation comes a more harmonized world.

Conversely, others may be traveling to celebrate and/or mourn the loss of a loved one; or perhaps it is the new birth of a child, a wedding, a birthday or the holidays that causes one to travel. These types of trips can invoke a variety of emotions ranging from one of incredible joy to deep sorrow.

Finally, many commonly travel for business ventures – meetings, conferences, negotiations, advocacy, etc. While each of these “motivators” bring about different purposes, thoughts, feelings or memories, it is the airport that often gathers all these different people to one place – fascinating!

As I stood in the Watertown Airport, the Philadelphia Airport, the Newark Airport and the Reagan Airport in D.C., it was this multitude of diversity which filled me with wonder and awe.

Where did these people come from? Why are they here? Where are they going and for what? Who will they see and what will they experience? Are they just beginning their trip or just ending it? Are they happy, sad, scared or excited to be traveling? Are they alone or with companions on their journey?

Wow- so much to consider! With curiousness and anticipation, I watched and I wondered.

As I boarded the plan to come home from my business trip, I attempted to come up with a concluding thought to ease my inquisitive mind… that is, human life is sacred.

As we often say in the IHC Mystery Play group, “you don’t know the crosses these people bear.”

Each and every individual in that airport has a purpose, a plan, a God given destiny. They have been planted in that situation, at that exact moment for a reason. Whether they are traveling to help, to heal, to relax, to explore, to celebrate or to mourn, they have been called at that very hour to be present to someone or something, somewhere. In our diverse world, we must always seek first to understand, then to be understood.
We must love our neighbor, and in doing so, come to know and appreciate the love of Christ that is truly present in each and every person.

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