Listen To The World Around You

I'm in an airport. Again. 

I spend a lot of time in airports and unlike the George Clooney character in "Up In The Air", I find nothing romantic about this.

But, when you're paying attention, wonderful things can happen. A writer I was reading recently caused me to pay attention.

I flew from Philadelphia today. I'm on my way to Edmonton by way of Toronto. I had gotten my boarding pass, checked my bag and was headed to security which was one level up. As I approached the escalator, I saw there was a hold up.

Let me say here that I DO share the Up In The Air protagonist's viewpoint about effeciency in travel. I hate to wait. I don't like being slowed down. There are not many roses in the airport and nothing good to smell otherwise. I want to get where I'm going and quickly and as painlessly as possible.

The cause of the hold up was an elderly Indian couple. Not Native American. Indian. 

They were standing before the escalator like deer in headlights. The way an aboriginal might stand before an escalator they had never seen before. The truth is she had trouble walking and he couldn't figure out how to carry both roller bags, hold up his wife, and navigate the quickly moving stairs.

Two young men were standing behind them and I heard one of them ask if they needed help. The young man was then trying to figure out how to grab his bag and both of theirs at the same time.

I had only a briefcase slung over my shoulder and two free hands so I stepped forward, grabbed both bags, and told them to go ahead. They manuevered each other onto the escalator and I followed. When we reached the top they stopped to get their bags but I urged them on so we would not back up the area. I moved in a few feet and off to the side and placed thier bags down for them.

Nothing about this story up to now is exceptional. Many people perform random acts of kindness without thinking about it. Myself included. Even if the reason is just to move people out of your way.

What happened next surprised me and I'm not easily surprised.

He looked me in the eye, raised his arms up to me (he was much smaller than I) and hugged me. Not a macho, half shoulder, slap you on the back hug. A full throated embrace. This is how I would expect my own grandfather to hug me....when I was ten. It was pure love and appreciation. You would have thought I'd saved his wife's life by catching her from a two story fall.

I smiled, a little embarassed and told him he was more than welcome. It had been my pleasure. And it was.

As I walked away, along with the other two young men who had witnessed the entire exchange, I said to them, "That certainly beats your normal air travel experience."

I would bet money that wherever they are tonight, they'll be telling that story as well.

The point of the story is not what I did for the man and his wife. The point is what he did for me and those two guys. I'm sure it will change how we see people when traveling. Old people (whom I normally adore) do not mix well with air travel in my world. Maybe this will change my viewpoint.

David (Sent from my iPhone)