It’s been some time since I was on a plane. Or in a hotel. These things seem strange and foreign to me now. Covid-19 is now a fixture in life and we, as humans typically do, have adjusted. Of course I was flying for Thanksgiving on the busiest travel day of the year. Seeing all those people standing in line at 4:30 a.m. at the airport made my lifestyle seem a little less weird. I’m used to being up at this time. They did have to de-ice the plane at Lehigh Valley International Airport. I’ve never been on a plane that was taking a shower before. I also didn’t touch anything but my book. And it seemed that those who “don’t believe in” masking weren’t making a fuss because you can’t win an argument with the FAA. I’m thankful for that.
I’d almost forgotten how to fly. On the first leg of the journey I was the only one whose “hand-held device” was made of paper. Connecting out of O’Hare, however, quite a few more books made an appearance. I sit in front of a device all day at work, so on a rare day off I don’t really want to have to stare at a screen. Although the total air time was under four hours I brought seven books in my personal item. I finished one of them (the longest) on the trip. I still have plenty of choices for the flight home on the weekend. Thanksgiving, even more than Christmas, is the time for family gatherings. We’re all vaccinated on this side, so it feels mostly safe.
This Thanksgiving I’m thankful that no turkeys were harmed on my account. If you knew how “thanksgiving turkeys” are raised it’d put you off your feed, as the saying goes. I’m also thankful that travel is possible, even if with added restrictions. Frankly, I’m glad for them. Anti-vaxxers don’t seem to realize that it’s not just themselves they’d be protecting, but others as well. Vaccines and masks aren’t just about selfish desires. Last year we couldn’t even consider traveling. Covid-19 has changed the way we do things, perhaps permanently. We can be thankful that we learn to adjust. I’m no fan of crowds, but there was something a bit exhilarating about being among other goal-oriented individuals all focused on being with loved ones. It gives me renewed faith in humanity, and that is something for which to be thankful.
