Who knew the airport could be so exciting?!

I know I should be a good mom and post about my kid's in baseball, school programs, etc., but I just had to share my experiences at the airport recently. When I flew out to see Randy before he passed away, I had a lot of time before my flight left for Salt Lake. Just before I went through the strip search and confiscation area--I mean metal detectors. I noticed a ton of soldiers and "family" all waiting with big welcome home signs and balloons. I was intrigued and a little emotional, so I decided to watch the "homecoming."

As I sat and waited, I watched a man get in line for the metal detectors, notice the soldiers and get out of line. He walked over and gave every single soldier a firm handshake and told them thank you for all that they were doing. Very cool to watch. The soldiers were very touched and gracious about the whole thing. The man then got back in line and was gone. Just like that. Very simple, but very powerful to watch.

When the soldier finally walked down the hallway, everyone in the crowd/group began to get very excited and cheer. It was awesome. I know I was just a bystander, but I can't explain how cool it was. I felt overwhelmed with patriotism and thankfulness for the military. It came time for me to leave, but I was so touched by the earlier experience when the man shook all their hands, that I had to say something to them. I didn't want to interrupt the reunion, and so I walked up to a few soldiers on the outside of the group. I shook their hands and became emotional as I also thanked them for their service to our country. I told them it was very awe-inspiring to see them all there together. One of the officers then turned and gave me a huge hug. Then several of them thanked ME and gave me hugs. We all started crying. It was all VERY COOL! Although those words don't even express my feelings adequately.



Well, as if that isn't enough, my experience on the way home was really, REALLY wild. Jerel had taken the boys to get their hair cut and so I had some time to kill before they came to pick me up at the Phoenix airport. I was sitting in the baggage claim trying to read a book, when all of a sudden I hear a ton of SCREAMING and YELLING and dogs BARKING at the baggage terminal just one over from where I was sitting! It was extremely loud. Then within like half a second I see a bazillion security officers and police officers running with their weapons out. These guys were the size of American Gladiators too. Of course the crowd at baggage claim all ran over to see what was happening. I'm thinking, "I'm going to wait a minute." It was kind of scary. I'm not very patient, so I didn't wait long and walked over to the crowd. There was over 12 officers cuffing and shackling a man who was laying face down on the ground. They then ALL escorted him outside to more officers who then loaded him up in a police car.

I asked an employee what happened and he said that the man had come in waving a gun and yelling. Then the dogs and officers were then within seconds. I know the Phoenix airport police have come under a lot of heat lately after that lady just died in custody, but they sure acted quickly that night. They were there literally in seconds. I couldn't believe it happened right by me. I was glad they were on my side. Who knew a trip to the airport could be so entertaining!?

p.s. This is a funny part to the story. I, of course, called Jerel immediately and told him what happened. About 20 minutes later I get a call from Chase. He asks, "Mom, was there really a gunman at the airport?" I told him yes and he then explains, "Well, Dad told us what happened to you, but we didn't believe him." I then say, "Yeah, it's hard to believe that happened." Chase then counters with, "No, you have to understand why we didn't believe Dad. He had just got done telling us that the reason why he runs so fast is because he was raised by cheetahs. And then he followed that up with a guess what happened to mom at the airport story. Like I'm going to believe that." I was like, "Yeah, I can see why you thought dad made it all up." Later on in the car, I was talking about it again and Jordan pipes up from the back, "Wait! That story at the airport really happened?"

Just another reason why I love Jerel--he was raised by cheetahs!