Journey

Every face has a story as life’s paths cross…

As we all go through life, many people come and go on each of our life’s paths.  Some stay awhile and some pass by for just a few moments, but still leave a lasting impact.  This past Honor Flight from NE Indiana is an example of that. 

After making terminal announcements of the arrival of this Honor Flight, I noticed this lady across from me at the door of the jetway.  I smiled and walked over to her in which she told me she had heard my announcements and was waiting for her flight to Florida. She wanted to come over and greet these vets.  She told me she was 90 and asked if any WW2 Vets were on the plane.  I said yes.  She said “my husband, brothers and sons were all vets. I would love to meet the WW2 vets.”

When one came off, I led him over to this lady.  During their interaction I captured a picture.  They spoke for awhile, held hands and the embraced.  I later showed her the photo and she asked me to show her daughter at the gate next door.  I went to her and exchanged the photo, in which the daughter told me, you don’t know what this is doing for my mom.  We are going home now to Florida after burying my brother, her son at Arlington yesterday.

I went to her after the last vet came off the flight and told her that I heard why she was in town and how very sorry I was.  She teared up a little but hugged me and said, but being here at this time and welcoming the vets to town was meant to be.  It helped lessen the pain of her loss.

People also witnessing her welcoming the vets later came to her, expressing how touched they were watching.  They were so inspired that they said they were going to sign up their relatives on flights.

I’ll probably never see this lady again, but our paths crossed and this fleeting moment made a lasting impression on me; that in her sorrow and pain, she was able to say thank you to her era’s veterans.  All at the same time, helping to take the sting away from her own personal pain.

I walked her down on her flight which was boarding next door. I got her to her seat and said to her again, I’m so glad I’ve met you.  Again, I am sorry for your loss.  With tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, she replied, no thank YOU!

A journey is best measured in friends along the way not in miles.  Tim Cahill

This is Greg’s story. What is yours?