I recently traveled from Hawaii to the mainland on about 12 hours notice to help my dad recover from an illness. Air travel is scary for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity because we know there is no way we’ll escape the journey unscathed. While I do wear a mask on the plane, I tough it out through all the terminals and gates. But for the time between flights in Honolulu, I have a secret place that I visit: a beautiful garden tucked away between the breezeways.
The air in the garden can be a challenge with the jet exhaust, but I still find some respite when I have a long wait between planes. It’s become a familiar place even though I only visit once about every four or five years. For me, even if I am anxious about the travel and my body is reacting to the onslaught of chemicals encountered during the journey, this garden helps me stay grounded. As I sit peacefully on one of the benches, I’m reminded that even in the middle of jet fumes and the crush of humanity, a person can find a peaceful interlude, a Safe Place.
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