I’m in Indianapolis.
My alarm rang at 4:15 a.m. and it felt like I’d barely closed my eyes. Time to go already? Yes it was! My first big flight of the year departed at 7:33 for INDIANAPOLIS!!
The next few hours were a flurry of coffee, packing, more coffee, and goodbyes to my host family… I’d miss them. The Prince, who valiantly rose with me at four o’clock to drive me to the airport, helped put my suitcases in the car and we were off.
“I’ve never seen traffic on 75 look so sexy,” the Prince remarked as we raced down the highway. The road was practically empty. Unlike New York, Atlanta does sometimes sleep. When it does, that’s when you want to be catching a flight out.
I left the Prince with a quick hug and prayer at security, trusting that time apart will fly as fast as the jet I’m leaving on. As Winnie-the-Pooh said, it’s a wonderful thing to have people so special you feel sad about leaving them. Farewell, Georgia.
Time was ticking, and I made it to the gate just as boarding began. Everyone stood docile in line, disinterested and half-awake. On the plane, my seat was taken by someone with the same seat number. We fought to the death and I came out triumphant… Actually, I waited politely and the stewardess found me a window seat: my favorite! The middle seat beside it was open, too. I opened the window to see the wing and immediately felt the joy of being on a plane going somewhere new. I was here! It was happening! The pilot taxied onto the runway and we pulled up, up, up through the dismal January day to the beautiful sunshine above us. As far as the eye could see, brilliant blue sky and puffy clouds stretched. It was a perfect flight to start off the year and before I knew it, the pilot was announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Indianapolis.”
The fields stretch wide south of Indianapolis; even though I’m only minutes from downtown, there’s still a small-town feel in the air. It’s like my hometown in Georgia, but a flatter landscape. There’s so much to experience! I’m going to enjoy being here.
What a wonderful adventure… What a wonderful LIFE.
