The flight ends, they announce the need to complete forms and I begin the search: a pen and my passport. The pen is easy as I was just using it for the Sudoku puzzle. But where is my passport? In the outside pocket of my purse? It should be but it is not. Maybe in my skirt pocket---no. Handbag pocket again, no. Skirt pocket again; stand up and dig deeper. No.
Okay, work backwards. What do I remember?
Waiting for my husband as TSA rifled through his carry-on. Blank spots in my vision--itchy panic about being unable to navigate the boarding process. Getting candy. OK. Suspending pump. OK. Waiting, Trying to be calm.
Turning to enter the boarding gate with my husband---trying to put my red bag up above and crawling into my window seat. Digging into my bag for another small candy and the bread roll I grabbed at the last minute as I left the UAL club. Pulling off tiny bites of bread--chewing. Hands are shaking, water is rolling down my right temple. Eat. Eat. Waiting for the deep breath that signals a rise in blood sugar. Sigh of relief.
Buckling my seat belt, shoving bag under seat. Restarting pump. Opening blue blanket to cover my knees. Wrapping black scarf around my neck. Pulling jacket over me. Head down into my chest and sleeping. So cold--my bones are cold. Two hours later- dinner. Then more sleep. 2 hours later--movie and more sleep.
OK, enough unsettling memories, where is my passport? Crunched under the arm rest between me and my husband, where it has apparently been for 8.5 hours.....in the end, I guess I am a lucky girl.
Okay, work backwards. What do I remember?
Waiting for my husband as TSA rifled through his carry-on. Blank spots in my vision--itchy panic about being unable to navigate the boarding process. Getting candy. OK. Suspending pump. OK. Waiting, Trying to be calm.
Turning to enter the boarding gate with my husband---trying to put my red bag up above and crawling into my window seat. Digging into my bag for another small candy and the bread roll I grabbed at the last minute as I left the UAL club. Pulling off tiny bites of bread--chewing. Hands are shaking, water is rolling down my right temple. Eat. Eat. Waiting for the deep breath that signals a rise in blood sugar. Sigh of relief.
Buckling my seat belt, shoving bag under seat. Restarting pump. Opening blue blanket to cover my knees. Wrapping black scarf around my neck. Pulling jacket over me. Head down into my chest and sleeping. So cold--my bones are cold. Two hours later- dinner. Then more sleep. 2 hours later--movie and more sleep.
OK, enough unsettling memories, where is my passport? Crunched under the arm rest between me and my husband, where it has apparently been for 8.5 hours.....in the end, I guess I am a lucky girl.
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