Post Christmas 2019: Back to school

Remember when 'back to school' meant plaid uniforms, a short drive to school, and a drop off at the school multipurpose room?

Try as I may to be stoic and mature about this, each time we see Gaby -- and before that, Jane -- going through security to head back to campus, leaves me humbled, sad and awestruck, all at the same time. I can even remember how I went back to school -- I hitched ride with a friend most of the time. My departure, as one of ten Lorenzi siblings, would have been barely noticed. At one point, there were six of us in college. The last male to leave had slim pickings when it came to underwear, shirts and other items of clothing.

But I digress. Today 'back to school' means a long flight. The good news is that the Appleton airport has the shortest security wait I've ever seen, easy access, cheap short-term parking -- fee! -- and a twenty-minute drive from home. Only the weather could slow us down, or cancel a flight. Both of these things threatened us this year but eventually all went quickly, smoothly and on-time.