I audibly groaned as I saw the security line at the airport, snaked twice around the terminal, corralling people in two separate areas before even getting close to TSA, so far back that when I rolled in, I was well past the roped section.
I pulled out my phone and took a step every few seconds until I was stopped abruptly by a large Asian family in front of me as we finally hit the first corral. I peeked up from my screen long enough to see them, now split, with the younger couple stepping out of line after hugging a pair of older couples and saying their good-byes, though still walking next to them outside the ropes as we all moved forward.
I didn't think much of it and went back to scrolling and shuffling slowly forward.
When we moved through to the second corral, the family embraced again, except this time when I looked up, the girl in the younger couple was sobbing as she held one of the older men.
She could barely let go as we continued to walk forward, and held on as long as she could, then turned quickly, running out through the revolving door.
When I turned back to the family still left in line, I saw the mother quietly wiping away her tears, her head low, the father's hand resting softly on her shoulder.
We need those fast forward buttons pushed sometimes. Because soon 2 will be 22. The kisses will have to last a few months not just a few hours.
And the long embrace will never be long enough.
As I watched those parents in front of me, all the moments when I just wanted time alone, when I impatiently shushed them to sleep sitting quietly in the corner of their room, when I sent them back to their beds for the 400th time in the middle of the night rushed up through me with reckless disregard.
I cried quietly and looked down, shuffling forward towards home.
Where my heart is. For now anyway.
Oh my gosh. You made me cry. I'm always struggling to find just a few more minutes to get things done. Thanks for reminding all of us that the most important things in life are those little ones (and not so little ones) right in front of us. Need to get a tissue.
Posted by: Mommifried | October 06, 2012 at 03:50 PM
My baby girl is only 16 months and still already my baby isn't a baby anymore :(
Posted by: Shirley | October 05, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Oof. Heart.Ouchie.
Posted by: Karen (Submommy) | October 05, 2012 at 07:07 PM
Thanks for making me cry in my mashed potatoes....
Posted by: Janice | October 05, 2012 at 03:52 PM
My "baby" just turned 19, the older will be 22 next month, and dropping them off at the airport to go off to college is so hard. My house is quiet now and clean. I'd rather have it the other way :)
Posted by: Carpool Goddess | October 05, 2012 at 12:31 PM
You made me cry. Sigh. I can't imaging my house not filled with noise like it is now. I can't imagine not stepping on Legos every night or finding stay stuffed things in my bed. It goes by, whether we realize it or not.
Posted by: Issa | October 05, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Oh my, this hit me on so many levels today. The little ones are as expected getting not so little (my baby is one today! how!) My parents are also coming to visit today. I see them only a few times a year for a few days at a time. I will cherish having the 3 generations under my roof this weekend.
Posted by: Ana | October 05, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Not sure if my last comment made it through - I just said thank you for this reminder. I know these days fly, even as I find myself plodding through some of them. Reading this brought me to tears. xox
Posted by: Lemead | October 05, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Sometimes it is hard to remember that they will not be children forever and that all those precious moments are limited...
Posted by: Chrissie | October 05, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Teary.
Posted by: Katherine Stone | October 05, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Oh man. You made me cry. (Says the woman flying out tomorrow.)
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Mom101 | October 05, 2012 at 10:47 AM