July 18, 2013 - Delayed

In the past, when I had an option to stay an extra day during a trip I typically took advantage of the situation as an opportunity to explore.  When I would get delayed by the airlines, I would see that as an opportunity to do more people watching.  Today, I had booked the earliest flight home that I could, only do be delayed by about 4 hours total so that my attempt to get home to see my son and husband was no earlier than it would have been if I had stayed another night and taken the next morning's flight.  Basically I arrived in Indianapolis so late that the baby and my husband were already in bed and my night owl father picked me up. 

While I was delayed in the airport, I noticed a stout woman whose hair was done up in a bun, wearing glasses and a full body cotton dress.  I figured that she might be a member of the Brethren or Mennonite church.  She seemed very tired and fidgeted a lot.  I had a moment, when we changed gates, to talk to her.  I asked her if she was alright and she explained that she was just hot and very tired from her trip.  She had been traveling for almost 24 hours straight, coming from Australia, and was trying to make it to Indianapolis to see her grandchild.  She thanked me for asking her about her well-being and I didn't think much of the interaction until I finally arrived in Indianapolis and was waiting at baggage claim. 
The lady in the long dress was greeted by a young man with a full beard, who ushered her towards one of the seating areas on the side of the claim.  There was a young woman with a super young infant nestled in her arms.  You could just make out the head of sparse infant hair.  I watched the lady in the long dress rush over to the infant, then slow all of her motion to gently caress the crown of its head as tears ran down her face.  It was such a genuine display of affection and I imagine, in that moment, all of the worry and stress of the long day of travel melted away. 
I felt sorta like a creeper as I watched the interaction between those family members, but I smiled and almost cried as I realized that those emotions are part of the reason that we are moving back to Putnam County. 
I know that my parents have that same emotion towards my son every time they see him.  They waited a long time to have a grandchild, and I really hope that he continues to bless them and us as he grows up to be a Godly man.