The little red suitcase

We got the airport on time and then the lady checking us in internationally seemed to have some problems. We suddenly were a little behind on time and as we approached the security check-in the lines looked manageable. We moved towards the metal detector and suddenly the security man (TSA) asked a question that I immediately imagined was going to change our trip. “Who does this little red suitcase belong to?” It wasn’t mine, no one else in from of us claimed it and suddenly Homeland Security came flashing through my mind. I’ve watched entire airports emptied when a similar package is found and that’s all I could think about. Everything was changing for us because we had to be careful after the events of September 11th. How our world had changed to even create a problem in little ole Portland, Maine. We’d now miss our flight and things would have to be rearranged. Protocol would be for the man to shut everything done and probably call in the bomb squad. No one was claiming the little red suitcase!

Then it happened. The man picked it up and sent it through the scanner and told the next person to move through the people scanner. It was over. Nothing else happened. Part of me was very excited because this is how things were before “9/11” and it felt good. How great to live in a trusting society where a simple mistake (that was my prayer anyway) could be quickly resolved. However, the other part of me was alarmed because in this great call for safety and security, the very people we are supposed to trust with our lives had given no thought for just that. It was like it was no big deal (which it turned out not to be) to this person and after the media has hyped such things up, I was feeling a little nervous. In the end, I was much happier to see we still can live in a world of trust and still saddened that we must live in a world where fear can sometimes dominate how we live our lives.

With no delays at all, we headed for Atlanta and then shortly afterward we headed for Belize City. What would it be like? What were we getting into? How would the power of Hurricane Dean impact our vacation? Thank you Lilly Foundation for this great opportunity to be with my family for two weeks as we share a memory and adventure of a lifetime. Have they shrunk the size between seats on airplanes?