airport adieus

This one's for my aunt, who always asks why i don't write on here more.

lately, it's just because i've been so busy getting ready for the big trip. i am getting so excited! my heart is racing, my blood rushing, i am filled with such energy it's all i can do not to jump around whooping and hollering! today we dropped my sister off at the airport. her fiance left last week, now she's gone. that's two down. slowly, one by one, we are all departing; making our way to israel. and with each person that goes, it is closer to my turn. it reminds me of that song with the bears in the bed. "there were 10 in the bed and the little one said, Roll over! Roll over! so they all rolled over and one fell out, there were 9 in the bed and the little one said..." etc etc.

at the airport, we followed our family's usual traditions. first we grabbed some Tim Horton's coffees and sat down to chat and laugh. then we all huddled outside the departure area in a group hug, followed by individual hugs. but that's not the end of the goodbyes. we stand on our side of the rope and watch as jennie goes through security, waving every time she looks back. she clears security, waves to us again, and heads toward the gate. still, we are not finished. at the other end of the terminal, we stand at the top of the staircase and watch across the baggage area, through the glass windows to the gate area. jennie appears and we all wave to each other. we carry on like this for about 10 minutes, waving, doing little dances, and miming out stupid things like paddling a canoe, going down an elevator etc. it's all so ridiculous and drawn out. we laugh till our faces hurt, and then, finally, we turn and head out.



it's silly and cheesy and dorky. and i love it.