Newspaper Blog: Christmas in the Airport or at Home?

I figured you need a little Christmas cheer so here is one of the articles I did for the newspaper right before Christmas or right after.  I don't remember.

I hope you ventured out into the cold to throw a snowball or two at the neighbors during the first real snowfall. I know a few of connected with friends. I do hope it stays through the week because “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” for you, because it’s almost guaranteed in Minnesota.

Wow, what an eventful last couple days. I began to contemplate this article sitting and observing at Amsterdam Airport. I had a lot of time on my hands as I was waiting for planes to never arrive. Unfortunately, I have to finish in a Holiday Inn instead of my home. I still love snow nonetheless.

Stress causes people to do crazy things

As I sat in the airport I was able to indulge in a favorite pastime of mine, people watching. One thing that really struck me was how stress causes people to do crazy things. I saw on multiple occasions people fight, argue, and push. Civilized manner was thrown to the curb and people resorted to truly animalistic behavior. Right before I was ready to give up on all civilization I was the recipient of a random act of kindness that kept me from writing off humans during Christmas time forever.

So there I was, seated next to a garbage can looking like a homeless guy talking to a computer. Mind you, I was actually talking to my mother on the internet but at a glance I probably did look a little crazy. I was telling her I hoped to be home by Christmas time but had no idea when I would leave the airport. After I finished talking a lady approached me. She told me, if I could not get home for Christmas I must call her and come to her home. She had a couple boys my age and I was not going to celebrate Christmas alone.

Amazing act of kindness for a complete stranger

This was a complete stranger inviting another complete stranger into her home for Christmas. She had no idea who I was but she knew I might not get home for Christmas and she would not allow it. What an amazing act of kindness for a complete stranger. I was at a loss for words but managed to squeak out a “Thank You.”

The holidays and travel is a recipe for stress. Don’t let a few moments of stress cloud the real meaning of Christmas time: selflessness, love, and peace. Nothing brightens someone’s day more than a random act of kindness. Give it a try.

Have a very Merry Chrismas!
TJW