Six days ago, on Christmas Eve, I woke up early and drove to Dulles Airport. I arrived with an empty car and left with a full one. Today, I did just the opposite.

Dulles was once again cheerful, aglow with holiday lights. But I approached it with that familiar clang in the heart that accompanies the departure of loved ones.

We pulled up to the Departures deck and I parked quickly, pulled out the luggage and hugged my daughter and son-in-law goodbye. I watched them as long as I could, until they vanished into the building that looks like it, too, is ready to take flight.