The other morning I drove my sister, Mandy, to the LAX airport - we stood in the unusually long lines together and I made sure she was checked in right... I got clearance to walk with her past security. I was assuming the two of us would have a bit of time to hang out at the gate, maybe get a smoothy, relax, say our goodbyes. But - the airport was so packed (probably with other people heading home after the holidays) that before we even made it to the gate they were paging her for an assigned seat.

I gave her her bags, her magazines, a big hug, said "I love you" and she hurried into the loading-ramp. I stood there a while, watching through the giant windows overlooking her plane - waiting to see if I could catch a glimpse of her through the small opening where the tunnel meets the jet, but I couldn't. I got a little teary eyed - I wish she could have stayed longer.



Amanda always talks about the first trip that she took to LA, when she was 16, (Mandy is 15) as being extremely influential for her. I guess I just hoped I could make Mandy's 1st trip to LA the same - special. I hope I pulled it off.