They Aren't Playing Today

Yesterday Glory and I flew into Washington D.C. and yes, it was on September 11th. The day started at 4:30 in the morning Atlanta time. Keep in mind I operate on Texas time (one hour earlier). I learned a long time ago that since I was the person responsible for my own luggage that I should always pack light and always have suitcases with wheels. I had one 29 lb. bag on wheels (I know this because they weigh them at check in now). I also had my carry on which was nothing more than my Bi-Pap machine. Glory decided to put the Bi-Pap machine in a small suitcase with wheels (smart) and include her overflow items. We couldn’t zip her luggage up, so out came another suitcase (no wheels). Glory has not mastered the art of packing light. At this point we were now up to 4 suitcases and a carry-on that had magazines, books and a laptop in it. We were doomed.

We loaded into a cab at 5:30 a.m. (4:30 TX) and headed to the airport. When we get to the airport Glory asks, “Where’s my suitcase with all my clothes in it?” I said, “I thought you got it.” She said, “I THOUGHT YOU GOT IT!” MAN! It was horrible, but we had to release it to the Universe and move on. Glory started her vacation with only T-shirts, underwear, dress shoes, and the clothes on her back.

Moving in to check-in, the woman at security wearing a Bridgett Wig was checking everyone’s id and boarding pass. In line I could hear her mantra: “They’re not playing today.” I didn’t have my id ready when I got to her and she said, “They’re not playing today, have your stuff ready.” Glory apologized and told her we were “a mess” this morning. She said, “You can’t be a mess ‘cause they aren’t playing today.”

From there we proceeded to the scanning part of the process. I had to remove my shoes and jacket. They scanned and picked through everything. They took out my lip-gloss and perfume and travel sized face soap and put it all in a zip lock bag. You can only take 3 ounces of liquid on a plane now.

We made it on the plane and had a very uneventful flight. The pilot flew us up the Potomac and then banked left to the Ronald Reagan Airport. I looked out my window for something recognizable, when there it stood: The Pentagon. I was so amazed. It was real and right there in front of me, not a scratch on it. I was so happy to see it and so proud. I have been experiencing a lot of feelings here in this great place. Washington D.C. is only 6 square miles in size and every inch of it is packed with our history.

God Bless America!