Ode to my McDonald's Cheeseburger

I am stuck at Chicago's Midway Airport with about 20,000 of my closest strangers. It's packed and we're all in it together. Some are more frustrated than others. Plenty have been here waiting longer than the two and a half hours I've clocked thus far. My first flight was cancelled and this one has been delayed and then delayed some more. The weather outside is frightful.

Coincidentally, I was scheduled to land in Dallas about two and a half hours ago. That's where I'm headed, Dallas. I am meeting up with college friends to root on the Missouri Tigers to a cotton Bowl victory against those nasty Oklahoma State Cowboys of the dreaded Big 12.

I was beginning to get frustrated as the cancellations and delays mounted today and then I got a cheeseburger and fries from the airport McDonald's. And you know what? It tasted like childhood, or rather how I remember McDonald's tasting when I was a child.

This happens rather infrequently. My palate has evolved over the course of the last few decades and McDonald's has become a means to an end.  It's not a destination but rather a last resort. Except for those rare times when I get a craving. This wasn't one of those times. This was a strategic decision based on proximity to my gate and length of line.

But when I sat down in my seat... Oh did I mention that a nice gentlemen insisted that I take his seat to eat my $4 meal? And when I unwrapped the cheeseburger and took that first bite, there it was. Wow. Unexpected. And just as my mood had begun to go south reminding me that I was not yet able to physically travel in that direction myself, just then, I remembered just how good life is.

I looked around and realized that even with all the hassle of this horrible travel day for absolutely everyone in this airport, people were still kind. I was sitting in a seat because of the kindness of  a stranger. The people around me were going out of their way to commiserate with fellow travelers.

And then there's the reason for my travel.. I am going to meet my friends who live all around the country. I get to start off the year with them at a football game and not just any football game, the Cotton Bowl. When I was in college Mizzou fans weren't even dreaming of bowl games let alone A top tier one.

My loved ones are healthy, my plane is delayed in order to keep me safe, I have the opportunity to do the things I want to do and despite the prolonged travel day, I will get to my destination.  Thank you McDonald's cheeseburger for reminding me of what,s right on the world.