If I were a dragon, nothing would get past me. Unfortunately, I’m human.
I’ve never worked for an airport, let alone been a TSA agent. I’ve traveled quite a bit and have no envy for their job, which is basically to be suspicious…of everyone. No exceptions—well, perhaps for the pre-approved people. Granted, I went through that process and still managed to be searched.
That’s a fun story.
Not wanting my daughter’s secret future present to break, I placed a small snow globe—small, mind you—into my backpack. Turns out even a small snow globe has too much liquid. This surprise was not the one I was hoping for. Kayla saw her present when the TSA worker dug it out. Then, my heart broke because I knew what he was going to say…
I hope God pours blessings into his life because he LET ME KEEP IT!!!
Did it contain a dragon, you ask?… … …
Of course!
I may never get paid to work as a TSA agent, but I work as one all the same. I’m the gateway, metal detector, and suspicious inspector of my ADHD child. I’m not perfect at my job, either. She manages to get things past me on a weekly basis. On picture day, she snuck her new stuffed animal to school. I had no clue until I received the picture previews, and there it was…a baby seal’s head popping off her shoulder.
I was not amused.
I could, and perhaps should, search her backpack and pockets—basically just tiny hidey holes—every morning, but that’s exhausting and I don’t have time. Thus, she’s often successful. I have, however, become a good lie detector. If she impulsively grabs something last minute, I’ll most likely notice the lump in the coat she’s carrying.
When mom lived independently, I’d have to inspect the groceries in her cart. First of all, she almost always went over budget. Secondly, the junk-health food ratio often leaned the wrong way. “Mom, you don’t need three bags of chips. Put this back.” Now, at the nursing home, sometimes I see a new item I didn’t purchase for her.
“Mom, where did this come from?” <points to boom box>
”I’m borrowing it.”
”From who?”
<says name I don’t recognize>
”You don’t need to be taking other people’s things. Give it back.”
”But I want a radio.”
”Fine, I’ll get you one.”
My mom would take full advantage of a one-legged man offering his other limb. She doesn’t mean to. She just can’t distinguish between a reasonable request and an imposing one. And, somehow, everyone except for me has trouble telling her no.
Do you ever have this problem?
