brings tears to my eyes

i was driving into work this morning as usual, surfing the radio stations in my preset, looking for favorite songs or humorous bits from various morning shows. i stopped when i heard SheDaisy's song "Please Come Home Soon". for some reason it transported me back to Orlando International Airport, right around last Thanksgiving. i was standing in the main terminal, waiting for that first glimpse of Heather & Baby Girl. being right before a major holiday, there was a steady river of people pouring off of planes & into the arms of loved ones not-so-patiently waiting for their arrival. as i stood off to the side peering into the sea of unfamiliar faces, searching for the one i know, i saw 2 soldiers walking through the crowd, unmistakable with their camouflage fatigues & dogtags. i noticed the large group of people next to me catch sight of them & start cheering & crying. hugs were exchanged, babies & moms & girlfriends kissed. everyone was talking at once & laughing & smiling. it was one of the most heart-warming things i had ever witnessed: a family reunited just in time for the holidays & i was thinking to myself that they would surely feel much to be thankful for around their turkey & cranberry sauce at their Thanksgiving table.

and then a man who had been standing alone, also waiting for some unknown (well to me anyway) person to arrive, moved quietly forward. he approached the group, appearing almost hesitant to interrupt their joyful reunion but was obviously very driven by what he intended to do. he tapped the 2 young soldiers on the shoulder & they turned to face this complete stranger. the man looked them full in the face, so much emotion written there. he shook each of their hands firmly & said to them: "i just wanted to thank you for what you're doing for your country. that's all. thank you. now please go back to enjoying your family." you could see the gratitude this man had & the appreciation in the young men's faces as they smiled back at him & thanked him & wished him a Happy Thanksgiving. i just stood there silent, taking in the scene before me.

so i'm driving down the highway, listening to this song & thinking about that exchange. my eyes got all teary & i felt that same feeling i felt then. that feeling i can't seem to find the appropriate words to express...