I usually get nervous on the days leading up to a major trip or assignment. In this case, it was both of those things plus. And then, once I'm at the airport, through security, everything becomes calm.
There, gentle, is the enormous metal bird preparing for the journey. A few people shuffling around, mostly still, checking email, making the last calls for the next 14 or so hours, the gate attendants shuffling papers, finding seats for late arrivals, close to picking up a mic to announce boarding instructions.
Here I am. Blissful.