the breakdown of civilization

There are people who are convinced that today's society is in a downward spiral, and they can cite the societal and moral reasons for this. I'm here to tell you that the real breakdown of society occurs in a crowded airport, where thousands of people are being held captive due to a weather delay.

While returning from a trip last weekend, we got stuck in the "Lost de Bagelus" airport, as my son called it, for about three hours. It struck me that under no other circumstances would most people accept the conditions imposed on us during that time: the uncomfortable crowding, with no way to avoid people entering your personal space. All seating already taken, so you have no choice but to sit (or sleep) on the floor. The lack of access to fresh air and the outdoors. The terrible, terrible food. And absolutely no control over your circumstances. It's enough to make children cry (not mine) and wives turn against their husbands (not me. Well...ok, it was me.).

Luckily, some things never change. While I was sitting on the floor next to the tram, my son came over, mussed my hair, kissed the top of my head, gave me a double-eye poke, and asked sweetly, "Mama, does that hurt?" Eye poke notwithstanding, he behaved admirably through our entire trip. He listened to us and stayed close as we walked through the throngs of people. He happily "drove" the tram between terminals with me for 45 minutes. He loved the food (chicken nuggets and fries again? Yes, please!). I think he loved all the hubbub and excitement of all the people around us. And the slot machines. And my tablet, of course. Thank goodness for tablets.