Last week, I spent some significant time in airports. And while admittedly, a lot of it was spent quickly moving from one place to another, I did get some time to just stop and observe. Without question, there is no greater gathering of human emotion than in an airport.

You see business travelers, wearily dragging their carry-on rollers bags and laptops as to not waste any time at the baggage claim when they land for that oh-so-important business meeting. Sometimes they travel in packs, but mostly you see them by themselves – eyes straight forward and moving with a self-appointed purpose.

You see parents, grandparents and kids going to visit extended families – sometimes for the first time. They move like a small unit, never letting the young go too far away, but ensuring they learn from the new experience. Each one carries something special from home – a teddy bear or blanket, reading glasses or that special pillow. The parents? entertaining and distracting old and young alike so none of them realize just how tired they really are.

You see young couples, hand-in-hand, embarking upon an adventure. At first glance, their shoes and handbags usually give away their origins, and when they open their mouths to speak, you can figure out just how far they have traveled. They look around and take in every moment as to promise themselves they will never forget their youth (but we all do)

You see sports teams going to their next gig. Matching sweats, iPods in abundance, laughter on their faces and dance moves in front of the McDonalds. Clearly they have not lost.

There are the thousands and thousands of people who work at the airport. Who go to their day or night job to ensure each and every one of us makes it to where we need to be...because we all have to travel.

And at its worst, the airport is a public forum for the most private of times. The loss of a loved-one is devastating. Traveling to reach “home” during that time is excruciating. You know who they are, but don't want to look. They are the ones wearing the sunglasses - with a tear streaming down their face. They have no desire to be there, yet they move through.

So the next time you are in an airport, take a look around. Each person is there for a different reason. There is no greater gathering of human emotion or a more beautiful diverse slice of humanity.