by Mac a'Bhaird

Created on: May 13, 2009

As I approach the date of my departure I begin to fine tune what I may need to bring, what I need to leave behind. Less is better, but I don't want to forget the essentials. The night before my departure I am packed. I gaze at the pack; the lightness of it affords me flexibility, mobility. That's power.

I sleep; a few hours is better than none. My alarm goes off; I grab my Go-Lite Back Pack and head out the door. As the door closes, I know it will be a few weeks, and thousands of miles of travel before I return. I say a prayer, as I am thankful for home. Home has been good to me; I have become a creature of comfort; I love my bed, my coffee, my family, my dog, and my surroundings. For one frail second I am weak; I admit a bit of remorse. But the wide world awaits me, and I must go. The journey of thousands of miles has begun.

I step briskly out the door, smelling the crisp morning air. It is dark outside; quiet. No one is up. I start my vehicle and drive the deserted city streets, passing a few motorists, no doubt going to work early. Tied to work. Shift workers. The graveyard shift, another day another dollar; the daily grind. I know the feeling; stifled, restricted, tethered; clipped wings. But today is different; I am feeling power- the power of travel. Independence. In my jacket is my ticket to the destination of choice. The power of choice; I can go where I want. My passport, cash, and credit cards and secured upon my person.

I approach the freeway onramp; again, sparse traffic. No one is traveling as far as I. In less than twenty four hours I will be on another continent. That's a powerful thought.

As I approach the airport I fall in place with other travelers going to and fro. We have things common; we have left the work place behind; the daily grind. We travel to faraway places. Silently we share this power. With the power of travel we will subdue distances and barriers only dreamed of in other ages.

We submit to the security check, after all, peace of mind is power. Past security and on my way to my gate, it's time to relax. No more rush, no more contingencies. Soak in the moment, there is power. This calls for coffee.

And we board our flight. Stowing carry ons and getting situated for a transoceanic flight.

It's our turn on the runway. The engines are revved, and here we go. I close my eyes and sit back, feeling the power of the jet; the power of independence, of travel. It's now just after 8am, I think of the graveyard shift clocking out.

The jet banks to the side I am seated on, and begins to climb altitude. 10,000 feet, 20,000 feet, 30,000 feet and the jet begins to level off.

I am a frail human. But for now, I have power; I have conquered the world.

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