I arrive back to the Atlanta airport very late at night, exhausted after weather-delays out of Philly, all after a full day of work. Weighed down by my carry-on bags, I fumble through one bag to find my wallet to pay for the train home. An elderly African-American MARTA representative comes up and asks me if I need help with the machine. As a three-decade user of public transit, I thank him and say, "No, I'm just trying to get my wallet out.”  Then, in a grateful haze, I blurt out “I'm SO tired and SO very glad to be back home," knowing I still have two trains to take. 

"Oh, come here,” he says, “you look like you need a hug," and proceeds to give me a giant hug, which I gladly reciprocated, feeling a wave of relief flow through me.  "I'm so happy to be home."

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Rosemarie can be found on LinkedIn