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Back in the early days of my career as a Stewardess (1969-1970's) I flew many a flight to places in the Mid West! I often would fly the same route for months, thereby getting to know many of my "regulars". Such was the case with one of my favorite passengers!
I first met this charming older woman on a Friday flight from Detroit to Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Along the way we stopped at Travers City and Pellston, Michigan. The flight was normally full on a Friday evening, 48 passengers and just myself to serve on a 40 minute flight. It didn't give me much chance to chat with passengers. But once out of Traverse City I had only half a load of people. On this particular trip the woman came back to the galley after take-off from Traverse City and gave me a compliment!
She said something to the effect of "Thank you for taking such good care of all of us! You make us feel like we're in First Class!"
The following Monday she was back on my flight, going this time from Sault Saint Marie back to Detroit! Again, before we landed in Detroit she slipped out of her seat and gave me a compliment!
Her routine was to come to Detroit each Monday morning and back to Sault Saint Marie each Friday evening. Each time there was a kind word! Sometimes it had to do with my service and sometimes my appearance, but she never let one flight go by without saying something lovely and encouraging to me!
As Christmas approached I made some home-made fudge with walnuts as "gifts" for crew members and a few special passengers. As we were getting ready to land in Sault Saint Marie that particular evening I took my little gift from my bag to give to the woman. As I turned she was walking down the isle with a package in her hand! It was a lovely Christmas tin with sugar cookies for me! We laughed as we exchanged the gifts! I think she said something like "Great minds run on the same track!"
I carried this woman back and forth for almost a year! I learned that her grown family was in Sault Saint Marie- and a very sick sibling lived in the Detroit area. So back and forth she would go- caring for one or the other.
I asked her if she didn't find the continual traveling back and forth exhausting. Her answer was interesting, and to me profound!
She said her traveling was always TO someone she loved and cherished. She'd crawl if need be to see any of them one last time! She said she learned that lesson when her childhood Sweetheart turned Husband passed away. What she wouldn't have given to see him one more time again!
Her habit of always finding something positive, something uplifting to say continued on each and every flight I had with her! I counted her a blessing!
Then, after almost a year she wasn't on the Friday evening flight going up north! I have to say, I was disappointed and a bit worried!
Two weeks later she boarded the north bound flight! She greeted me this time with a hug- one that lasted a little longer than normal. During our flight I found out her sibling had passed away. She said she was grateful she could be there at the end- to comfort and say goodby.
I realized I probably wouldn't be seeing her again. So I Thanked her and let her know how much her compliments and encouraging words had meant to me!
She patted my hand and said she thought we both had had a profound effect on each other- and what a blessing that experience was!
We landed in Sault Saint Marie. She again hugged me as she went to deplane. She said "No matter what the situation or obstacle, don't stop learning, growing, and loving! Don't pass up any and every opportunity to be kind!"
This was 51 years ago, yet I still can see her salt and pepper hair, her blue green eyes, and smell her vanilla perfume. I doubt she is still among the living. But the memory of that wonderful lady and her kindness will live in my heart!
And now Dear Readers, the story of her wisdom and kindness will live with you as well!
No Matter The Situation Or Obstacle, Don't Stop Learning, Growing, And Loving! Don't Pass Up Any And Every Opportunity To Be Kind!
Until next time, Dear Readers! Remember, Life is an adventure! You never know who you may meet that will have a lasting effect on your life!
6 comments:
So very true on flying the same trips and having our passengers become our friends. That lady was definitely a Special Lady.
Dear Reader-
How true! I always felt a bit sad for some of the Flight Attendants who came later in the airline industry. It seemed the art of "Connecting" with passengers was lost to many of the younger Flight Crews! My memory holds many wonderful encounters with great people, and I'm all the more "rich" for it!
Marcy
aka The Flight Nun
I also had a weekly passenger flying to DTW. Very soft spoken gentlemen who was an auctioneer. Flying the smaller aircrafts allowed you the time to get to know your passengers.
Dear Retired-
Some of those special people we connected with did indeed enrich our lives and stayed in our memories! The "connections" are what I miss most about flying! And you are right! The smaller aircraft allowed us to get to know these folks! Thank you for your comment, and for following along!
Marcy Padrta
aka The Flight Nun
I love that story, the flight attendant and the pax.
Dear Carol South-
Thank you for your kind words and for following along! We Stewardesses/Flight Attendants have so many memories!Thank you for following along!
Marcy Padrta
aka The Flight Nun
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