Here's a cultural phenomenon that is probably not "pop," although it is endured annually by the populace: Waiting. At the airport. During the holidays. In fact, I am writing this at Los Angeles International (LAX) on Saturday, January 5th, as hundreds of thousands of travelers are waiting. At the airport. During the holidays.

I've been doing this Christmas flying thing for 21 years, ever since I left Southern California for good, so I have numbed myself to the stress and hassle of holiday traveling. Smiling and good manners help.

For example, flying from Portland on Christmas afternoon, my connecting flight in Oakland was delayed because of snow in Denver. That set off a domino effect of more delays and lost luggage. I finally arrived at LAX two hours late and found that my luggage had been sent to Las Vegas, including family presents and my bass guitar! So I waited in the baggage claim area. And I waited. And waited.

Finally, around 11:00pm, my luggage arrived. Needless to say, I missed Christmas dinner with my family. I was bummed.

Any one of these inconveniences would have triggered off anger in a lot of people, but I remained calm, cool and collected. The seething and irritation was palpable in the people around me. At the baggage counter, customers were yelling and screaming at the staff. I just smiled and nodded as the staff person processed my info. Finally, after enduring several minutes of abuse from the people behind me, the staff person smiled and said in a loud voice, "Mr. Canedo, you've been such a nice customer that I'm going to give you a $50 voucher for your trouble." That sure shut everybody up!

What good does it do to get angry at something that is beyond anyone's control? A little patience and kindness go a long way. When faced with long waits at the airport, I sometimes pray the rosary, but to myself, and with the natural beads of my ten fingers. I wouldn't wish to attract attention to myself while praying, but I have found that just being in a prayerful demeanor seems to have a calming effect on those around me in a stressful situation.

There is a happy ending to my Christmas adventure. I didn't get home until midnight, and I fully expected mom to be asleep and my siblings and their families gone. But everyone was still there, wide awake, and eager to greet me. We exchanged gifts and my Christmas dinner was hot and delicious. As I was waiting at the airport, my family was waiting for me, no matter how late.

I close this Spirit Spot and begin the New Year with Josh Blakesley's Let Your Love Come Down.

Let your love come down.
Let your love come down
and bring your promise.

I will wait for you.
I will wait for your promise.