The Arrival

 

I don't know how many of you have been on a plane, but I suggest you avoid it. It is loud, crowded, and if I am not mistaken, for at least part of the journey, you are flying above the birds, which should make one feel free, but was quite confining and unusually loud.

I was glad when we were on the ground in Philadelphia. My limo driving companion Peg said we had to hurry to make our connecting flight. Another one? What is it with these people and flying?

We ran through the terminal (well, she ran, I stayed in my little carrier and was jostled more than on the plane.) We arrived just in time to see our plane leave without us. "Oh well," I thought. "We gave it our best shot; we should go home." But, Peg wouldn't be paid unless I was delivered, so she reserved a seat on the next flight in three hours, which is a day and a half in dog time.

Peg took me out, gave me some water, a rubbing, and told me I was a good girl. I wish I could have reciprocated the sentiment, but I was too busy looking around, catching all the sights and smells.

I remembered what my dad, the Maestro, told me. When all is dark, you're scared, and you wish you were somewhere else, sleep, and when you wake up, things will be better.

In three hours we boarded another plane. Thankfully this wasn't for as long a time as the previous one, and Peg told me that the next stop was my forever home. I hadn't realized I was living in a temporary home, but given how life works, every home is temporary on the mortal side.

The sound of the plane put me to sleep, and River visited me. She showed me my anxious soon-to-be parents, who were worried about meeting me. They were seated next to a guy violating a restraining order, who planned to pick up his kids when they arrived and was placed under arrest next to Mommy. What kind of crazy place was I going to?  

My parents had left their home five hours earlier, thinking I would make the connection, and had been waiting ever since. I was moved by their devotion and worried I could be snatched by one of the kidnappers the airport was lousy with.

The plane landed, and the butterflies started in my tummy. I was brought out of the carrier and held as we walked through the terminal. Then I went down an escalator like Donald Trump and saw my parents stand, and then smile, like the weight of the world had been lifted from them, and I knew I had found the people I had been meant to be with since I was born.

I snuggled into my mom's arms and felt more love than I had ever experienced. I said goodbye to Peg and thanked her for bringing me to my forever home.

Then we got in the car and headed towards my new life.

I was anxious to see what was in store for me.