All Aboard

At first, I see a small dot in the air. Then, a short line with a light on it. Finally, it becomes clear when it is making its last turn with the landing gear out. I imagine all the people aboard twitching in their seats. There are those who squeeze their fists and close their eyes because they are afraid of landing. There are those who have their faces glued to the windows. They want to see everything! Others count minutes till they can finally turn their phones on and call or text or swipe their Instagram accounts. I imagine the flight attendants rushing up and down the aisle to pick up garbage, check for seat belts.  Clearly the vacations are over! There is a moment of silence. Only the humming of the engines smoothly sings their song. Everything on board stops for a moment. The buildings of the airport appear in the windows of the plane. Finally, there is a thump of the wheels on the pavement and squeaking of the walls. Hallelujah! People can breath again. They all are where they have been meant to be, on the ground! What a moment! Quick second later you can hear some unbuckling of the seat belts despite the warnings from the flight attendant. Ready! Set! Go! People begin to call their relatives and friends. Others get ready for the immigration check.

Every time I land I take a moment to think of that time when Papa Giovanni Paolo II came back to Poland for the first time after being chosen for a pope. He walks down the stairs. His papal white robes float in the wind. He kneels down and kisses the ground. I want to do it every time I land.

Iguana Island, Palm Tree. January, 2019.

But for me, looking from the front seat of a moving vehicle on the highway, this is just a big shiny machine, airborne, unfolding its feathers to land. At first a small dot in the air, then a short line with a light on it, finally, a machine with engines and wings. The point of view is everything!

Happy New Year! It is good to be back on the ground!