Looong Day

Raj and I got stuck at the airport trying to fly back home for more than 4 hours (we'd flown for a day trip for some work and intended to get back within a few hours).

We'd left early at 5, and left Suhaana at home so she's not hassled by the travel. Luckily we had some family who could watch the little girl before the nanny gets in.

We were back at Houston airport by 2:15pm to find that the airport looked like an Indian vegetable market. So many people, just moving from gate to gate, trying to make their connections, enquire about their flights, check if they can be put on standby. The 2 o'clock connection was cancelled and it was made worse by flights coming in late.
Leading to a ripple effect of exasperated passengers waiting to get to their destinations.

Running around from one gate to another in those hours, I was missing Suhaana. We had left early so it had been a long while since I'd seen her. And now it was unclear which flight we would be able to make it in- if at all. After not being able to be accommodated on the next 3 flights, I was getting desperate. At 5, I just wanted to see her!

And in all this, while we moved from one gate to another, dragging our aching feet, all we noticed were the kids at the airport. A family of 5 with 3 kids - all seemed to be similar age groups between 2 and 7. All 3 kids with headphones and gadgets, engrossed in their games. Another family of 4 with 2 kids. Younger one was not happy and let out a scream. 'Suhu does that too sometimes' I thought- gets angry and gets really passionate about something.. A dad with a small baby - probably 6 months old, clutching on to dad, sucking his thumb but otherwise oblivious to the madness around him. 'Suhu sucks her pacifier that cutely too'. A mom with another 8-9 month old baby at the rental car counter- thumping his palms for faster service.

All I could notice was the kids- while I missed my little girl- dying to get back home while all flights to home are cancelled/delayed with too many passengers backed up from previous connections.

Standing at one gate waiting to be put standby for one of the flights I sang her favorite 'Elmo had 4 ducks' song. Raj hummed it too. And then, while we sat down and waited for the next flight, we looked up her photos on my phone. And then we missed her some more! We're such parents!

Finally after waiting for 4 hours, we decided to rent a car and drive down home instead.

At home, this little baby was fast asleep. Although I almost woke her up with all the cuddling and kisses!