John Denver left us one of the most beautiful songs ever written, sung, and covered by thousands of artists, then re-imagined by Mos Def: Leaving on a Jet Plane. For me, it’s about constantly leaving in search of something different, but never really finding it. Each time we leave, we break the hearts of the many many many people who just want us to be near and don’t want to close their eyes or kiss us goodbye. But we have to go, and they know holding us back will hurt us both.

Lyrics:
All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin’
It’s early morn
The taxi’s waitin’
He’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome
I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing
Every place I go, I’ll think of you
Every song I sing, I’ll sing for you
When I come back, I’ll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
And I’ll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times, I won’t have to say

Kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
But, I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

These are photos I snapped while waiting on a flight out of LAX in 2014. I’m going through my travel hard drive, finding old files, and I came across these. Lovers, friends, family, saying goodbye. I love them.

Enjoy.