From Up In The Clouds

Through the small airplane window over the wing, I can see the clouds as the dot the ground below. Having internet this high up, being able to connect online from way up in the clouds never ceases to strike me as incredible. And yes, I realize this makes me sounds like an old person because “back in the day we had dial up”. Seriously, I remember dial up to check my AIM email account and get in swim team chat rooms when my parents weren’t looking. But enough of that because I’m fairly certain my mom could still ground me somehow…

I’m on my way home from a long weekend at my grandparents and my mind is swarming with new memories and little things I never want to lose when I file them away in my heart. My mother is the only child to have left their small state so my times with my grandparents are few and precious. I can see it in my grandmother’s eyes when I leave – it’s as if she might stamp her little foot into the ground and declare that life isn’t fair. Her hugs are always a little bit longer and her eyes glisten every time we leave. My grandfather is more matter of fact about things “See ya ugly.” is my usual farewell from him. But you can always tell in the tightness of his squeeze before he releases his hug, he would rather never see us leave.

The closer I get to Florida, the more excited I am to get back into my routine, to hug Andrew, to see Garland’s wiggly little tail as she welcomes me home, to snuggle into the couch and to sleep in my own bed. But for now, while I watch the ground slowly pass below the wing I’ll dwell in my memories, breathing them in slowly so that I’ll never forget.

From up in the clouds, a slightly homesick traveler.