Time for Myself {at the Airport?}

I finally got a whole day of quiet solitude with no expectations, no obligations and lots of time; me time. I took time to think, listen to music, peruse the book stores and shops, linger over a meal while reading a magazine, write, walk, people watch and barely talk to anyone. I did all this at the DFW airport. I'm not being facetious; I really did have a great day.

I was in the DFW area in the last week visiting my grandma, friends and family and working. I was supposed to turn in my rental car at 1 p.m. and get on my plane at 3:35 p.m. and be home by 6 p.m. But once I had my car turned in and I checked the board for departures, I realized my day was going to very different than planned; my flight had been cancelled.

Fortunately, I had been rebooked....on the 8:45 p.m. flight....that actually was delayed and took off at 9:15 p.m. So, that left me about 7.5 hours to hang out at the airport. Now, if you've ever been to the DFW airport {and I have many, many times}, you know that there are a multitude of shops, newsstands and restaurants in this sprawling city-sized airport, which left me plenty to do.

I had to go from the end of Terminal A to the opposite end of Terminal C. The lady behind the counter assured me I had plenty of time, I could just walk it. And I did...several times, sometimes slowly, sometimes at a faster pace.

I spent long periods of time in the several book shops reading the inside flap of the jackets on new books, making mental notes of books I should read someday and those I should avoid in book or movie form. I can't tell you the last time I did that, without kids pulling on my arm, running to find the children's books, distracting my attention from the books I wished to read.

I checked out every meal option from C1 to C30 before choosing. Then, I chose a sit-down restaurant, something I never do in an airport and slowly ate my burger and fries, enjoying each bite as people around me conducted business on the phone and quickly downed their meals, bustling in and out. I rarely linger over meals since my kids have been born and in the last few lean years, date nights have been far and few between.

I bought a magazine and read every single page. Generally, I read only in the wee hours between work and falling asleep, reading until the book or magazine slides from my grasp and my drooping eyelids finally close.

I found an outlet next to a row of empty chairs on a quiet passageway and charged my phone and computer while I listened to my Pandora radio stations on my phone and pounded out an article on my computer.

I watched the people, some wearing coats, others in casual sweats or shorts and some in suits and dresses; elderly, middle age, youngsters, professional, on vacation, students, military, experienced travelers and inexperienced, on their phones, on their Bluetooths, with the kids, with dogs, with old duffle bags, with designer bags, hard cases, overstuffed roller bags, running, strolling, tired, excited, and I wondered where they had been, where they were going and what each of their stories told.

And minute by minute, gradually, my quiet, solitary day at the airport came to a close, and I boarded at 9:05 p.m., arriving home {and back to reality} at 11:20 p.m.

I don't always make lemonade out of lemons; I fret, I complain and get antsy, but I do enjoy time {alone} in an airport. And that's exactly what I needed yesterday... a day to myself. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[Julie H]

I'm glad you made home safely and had some time for yourself to recharge before you got there.

[Aunt Barbara]

Oh Anna I am so glad for you. You need rest time anywhere you can find it. Love you Sweetpea Aunt Barbara

[PEGGY]

Sorry we missed you while you were at the airport. If it happens again, we will try to visit.