Sunday at the Marriott O'Hare -- king sized bed, clean sheets, all the hot water in the world, and room service. Departed for Houston and home at noon Monday.

I found myself searching for that spark of friendship, that feeling of shared experience we were all privileged to have in the faces of the other passengers at O'Hare, the flight crew on the way home, but it wasn't there. At first, and sometimes still, it makes me a little lonely to feel it missing. Now, though, I try to carry a little Gambo with me everywhere I go, to keep an open heart and an open mind, with my friends, family, coworkers, or even if only to let someone in in traffic.

That, I think, is the best way to repay the kindness of strangers, now friends. Spread their kindness to the next person you meet.