An old couple walks carefully through the store, taking careful steps to look on and think through which products they are going to buy. They appear small and meek, with many layers of autumn warming attire. Quietly I hear the man whisper something to his wife, but I didn't quite make out what he said. Her smile and heartwarming reaction to him made me think, "It's amazing that they fell in love and grew old together in a completely different time." And a strum of jubilee resounded in my heart for that split second, because I knew that even if they had no family to spend tonight with, they had each other. That was the most important thing for them. They looked like a Herb and Ethel.

Holidays are like malls and airports for my heart. There is always a bustle going on, and always white noise of chatter, music, kitchen clamor, stores simmering with checkout aisles beeping, people going every which way - and then there I am. It's hard to focus, because there's all these people I'm interested in. Where are they going? Why? He looks official and rich, she is good looking and sad. That family flying back to PA are in their pajamas. When all the world goes, these places won't matter, yet they're vital to each of these people, and I really think about that. Standing dead center in the middle of this American tornado watching worlds spin around me, I feel so much sadness because its like everyone forgets the important things in life. The reasons behind why we do what we do. Those moments when you start looking at something and then 12 minutes later find yourself lost in thought, staring blankly into nothing, yet hopeful. For what, it remains to be seen, but hopeful nonetheless.

Airports, holidays, malls. Remember what matters. Remember where you are going.