“Nothing else in the world…not all the armies…is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo
Over the past three months I’ve done some sporadic writing.
As I traveled through various airports, these are the thoughts that went through my head:
July 10th, 2007:
If you had told me one week ago about the events that were going to happen, I would have laughed at you.
“You made the right choice. You chose to be happy. I’m happy for you.”
There are temporary moments of panic when I wonder if what I did was stupid. I doubt myself.
But I know my time had finally come.
16 hours ago I stood on a bus that took me to a plane. I held onto the rail and leaned my forehead against the glass.
Movement. Fatigue. Large windows. Passengers. Sadness.
Last Thursday, July 5th, I submitted my resignation.
Today, July 10th, I am halfway home (Austin, Texas).
I still can’t believe it. I still can’t believe I had the courage to just turn my back and walk away from all of it.
My decision to go back to Texas is the most logical thing for me to do. Austin is home, no matter who says what. And when I feel comfortable I will be able to think. For the first time in my life I have the choice to make a choice that’s right for ME. Do you have any idea how alien and scary that is? And do you know how liberated I finally feel?
None of it has sunk in. I’ve got no plans – just an aim to take a stab at that thing they call freedom.
Boston Logan International Airport:
I met a wonderful woman in her nineties today. We chatted briefly and when she asked if Texas was home I told her my “story.”
She smiled at me.
As I was leaving to catch my flight I wished her all the best.
She turned and said to me, “I wish you well in all of your life. And remember to always say a little prayer. It works, you know.”
