TSA Guy to Me “I’m Going to Miss the Shutdown”

“Without tenderness, a man is uninteresting.” — Marlene Dietrich

Luckily, I get to do my fair share of traveling, always carrying various gear and electronics in my carry on bags. Checking expensive gear is not my idea of fun, so I don’t, unless it is unavoidable.

I’ve learned much over the years about what to carry and what not to, but this last trip I was carrying something new.

Most times, they don’t check me so when they pulled my bag I wondered what was in question. I was in TSA Pre and did not have to take off my shoes or follow some of the other normal criteria, it was unexpected.

He said, “I hope you don’t mind, I just have to test a little bit” as he pulled the plastic bag full of white powder out of my case pouring it onto the counter.

When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people. —- Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Ahh” I blurted “I stuffed that in last minute without really thinking”

I decided to be quiet but could hardly stand it, my mouth started moving again, “How’s the money holding out?”

He replies “Oh, you mean the pay and the government shutdown”

“Yes” I said. “I get it, my employer is changing our payroll system, worrying everyone”

Him, “Oh, I’m holding up, some of the others are not though. To tell you the truth, I’m going to miss the shutdown, you people have been a whole lot nicer” finishing his thought.

He’s still getting his testing kit out, “It’s Potassium Citrate, something our bodies need.” I’m still talking,

Pretty soon he shakes a little vial looks it over then gives me the go ahead, apologizing for the inconvenience.

Now, I’m telling him all the benefits of Potassium Citrate.

As I gathered my dismantled bag we exchanged a few more words and both landed on the comment “Why can’t we be kind and present to one another all the time? Why do we need to see a hardship first before giving people a break?”

He smiles “All in a days work, it doesn’t really matter to me” As I walked the corridor towards the gate there was a thought about honesty and transparency, nothing to hide, insures all goes well.

Then I pull out my pocket notebook adding Government Shut Down & TSA Agent to my writing list.

“ Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” — Gustav Flaubert.

The End