Check!

At the border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia

View Photos (1) Image © 2011 Jack VanNoord

On the airplane from Hong Kong to Bangkok, my wife and daughters sat together in the three seats ahead of me. I was stuck by myself next to two strangers.  Having already flipped through the SkyMall catalog filled with $800 air purifiers and high-tech neck massagers and with no one to talk to, I got a little bored.

I took out the barf bag from the seat pouch in front of me and listed all of the countries I have been to. Then I listed the countries my daughters have been to.  Then I listed the countries Julie has been to.

Just about then, Julie turned around and peeked between the seats to see what I was up to. She motioned for me to pass the barf bag to her through the gap between the seats.

A minute later, she handed it back to me. On the bottom, below my four lists, she had neatly written in block letters "It's not a competition."

I looked up. She smirked at me.  I stuck out my tongue at her.

Somehow my wife has gotten the idea that I operate with some sort of mental check list.

Eleven days later, we found ourselves in a long line ready to cross the border from Thailand into Cambodia.  It had been a long day and we had a long way to go still.

Our border crossing guide indicated for us to follow him.  I checked to make sure that I had my passport.  I checked to make sure that our daughters were following us.  I looked around at all the commerce and chaos that surrounded us.  I looked ahead to keep an eye on our guide. 

We walked past a sign that said "Welcome to Cambodia."  I looked around to make sure our group was still together.  My wife caught my eye across the crowd.  While she held my gaze, she silently raised her hand and made a big check mark in the air.

She coolly turned away and kept walking. 

I couldn't help but smile to myself.

To be truly and deeply known by one person is one of life's most wonderful things.

It's also one of the most disconcerting.

-Jack

* * * * * 

Published on 1/29/11