20/20
By Sarah Sexton
22.02.21
If patience is a virtue, airports are virtuous sacraments. When traveling by air you can expect, and you will receive long lines, lost luggage and unnecessary hangry episodes.
I always get anxious before international flights, especially our travels from the UK to USA. We take the earliest flight to see friends and family at the earliest EST hour. And we see many. And we have fun.
Our first summer traveling back to the USA to visit friends and family, the girls and I traveled the first lag alone. Steve did some golf thing, sleeping thing in his car in Scotland, some outdoor adventure. Steve could not get the time off work for a three-week holiday. The days when office hours were clocked f2f.
As expected, the girls and I experienced long lines and tedious waits. We were hungry yet sick to our stomachs. We were unable to eat. My anxiety always acts up through security. I immediately think I am carrying a weapon, gun included. Then I start to think that maybe I have some drugs in my pockets, or cavities of my body. I breathe the biggest sigh of relief when I cross through barriers with out setting off a series of beeps.
Our first flight from Manchester to Amsterdam is routine and short. One hour of airtime. While inching towards the front of the long line to board our flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, I was flagged as a refugee. Security took my passport, and they ran it through the computer system. According to the system I was flagged in Manchester as a refugee.
Airline crew came to watch my daughters as I was pulled aside with my USA passport and expired MI driver’s license. I must be fleeing the UK to shelter in place with my daughters at my sister’s house in Michigan.
The airline worker with me said she knew it was a mistake, but they still had to check me out, regulations. I experienced the refugee shake down and search. I am happy to report I passed! My girls and I arrived in the USA greeted happily by my sister and niece. After happy hugs and luggage collection, it was a 45-minute drive to Susan’s house where I sprinted to her lawn to vomit. I tend to get travel sick.
The next morning it was time to take care of my expired driver’s license. I would be driving three weeks in Michigan and Ohio for a family/friend tour. For license renewal I would use our MI address. We rented the house we own and we will be move there again.
I took my three daughters, my niece and nephew with me to the Secretary of State for a long list of reasons, but mostly because I did not want them home alone. We arrived early. I know the Secretary of State is purgatory or virtuous. It is as timely as airports. I drilled my daughters, my niece and my nephew not to mention that we lived in England. I reminded them we lived in Michigan.
The wait was decent since I was fourth in line with five children. My turn to speak to the clerk at the counter. She was so nice. It is usually such a grumpy atmosphere. For some odd reason that I have yet to question to this day, Kate started speaking and telling stories in a heavy British accent. I was not expecting this scene. I forgot to tell the little one, no British accents either. The nice lady looked at me and said, she has a British accent.
Honestly! You never know how you will act in most unpredictable circumstances. I thought more likely, Kate would rat me out by talking about our home in England, but no she had this beautiful, LOUD British accent.
‘Oh. She does that sometimes. She is a little actress. Runs in the family.’ The clerk noted how cute it was then I quickly failed my eye test. I could not receive my new driver’s license without an eye test from an optometrist. Really….?!! Dog nuggets!!!
Before calling a dozen optical locations, I cried. I have always been so proud of my 20/20 vision. Every location was booked and for days. I found success at the mall. Five kids, two hours later, two new pairs of glasses and I had a doctor’s note to receive my driver’s license.
Hindsight was 20/20 and now the future looks clear and hopeful.
I think I drove over 700 miles that holiday. My glasses are for distant vision. Essential for driving.
Recap! I cleared airport security without drugs or firearms. I am not a refugee (yet…..never say never). I failed an eye test. However…..according to many tests, I am a ROBOT!
I have failed many ‘I am not a robot,’ tests and consequentally miss reading many quartly newsletters….
Abbey Row 