After writing such a dismal blog entry, I feel I should follow up with a very happy moment I experienced today. Today my 3rd cousin and her friend flew in from Greece to visit America for the first time. I joined my Aunt and my Yiayia at the airport to greet them when they arrived. After arriving at the airport the first time, we came to find out that my Yiayia misread the itinerary and they were arriving in London at 11am, not in Phoenix. I enjoyed the time spent with my Aunt and Yiayia and happily returned to the airport at 7pm for their actual arrival. We waited at the international arrival gate for a couple of hours, because their flight was delayed. As arrival times grew closer, more and more people would arrive at the gate to greet their partners, friends, and family.
Firstly, it was nostalgic for me. It brought me back to a time when it was not uncommon to be greeted at your gate when you arrived. It reminded me of the joy I experienced when I'd step off the plane and have family members eagerly awaiting my arrival.
Secondly, watching how giddy and ecstatic so many people were to greet the passenger they had been waiting for was such an amazing experience. I wondered to myself how long it had been since they had seen one another.. one week? one month? one year? 5 years? But whatever amount of time it was, these people were missed. These people were loved. One family stood in front of us anxiously awaiting the arrival of a young man and I watched their excitement as he finally came walking towards the gate. Chills ran down my spine as I watched one girl run up to him, crying and hugging him.
Its hard not to smile on the inside and out when you experience happiness in other people's lives.
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