While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in KLIA, I
had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk
about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere
two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the passengers, I
noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next
to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old)
as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they
separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so
good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly,
averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son
(maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re
already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a
most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or
one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking
her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said,
“Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed
her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from
side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his
shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest
son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his
wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into
her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They
stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding
both hands.
For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by
the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a
moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of
unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me. I suddenly felt
uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my
own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?
“Been married for fifteen years.” he replied, without
breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you
been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his
joyous smile. “Two whole days!”
Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I
had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know
my expression betrayed me.
I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with
some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope
my marriage is still that passionate after more than 20 years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling.
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