Caring & Compassion

Out of breath and tired from running to the gate. Nearly missed our flight. Finding my seat on the plane, I’m mildly irritated by the woman who is grilling the stewardess about what food they will be serving – irritated only because they’re having this conversation next to my assigned seat and I cannot settle in. She orders her salad before the plane is even fully boarded which is odd because it’s only 10am. Whatever.

She looks up and sees me waiting, and scoots over out of the way so that I’m able to pass and find my seat. She is an older woman…elderly, even. She is well dressed. She is traveling alone. She is seated immediately behind me on a flight that is not very crowded at all.

Shortly after takeoff, the stewardess asks her if she wants to close the window shade so she can rest, and then the conversation takes a turn. While I cannot hear the old woman’s voice clearly, I can hear her angst. There’s an edge to her quiet voice.

I hear the stewardess’s responses:

“Yes, so let me show you. You were here – in Louisville, Kentucky – and we flew you to here – Philadelphia. See? Right here. Here is where we are now. And now we are flying to St. Thomas. That’s where you will meet your family. 

No, no. You’re not lost. We know where you are. We’ve got you. We will take care of you. We are taking you to your family. They will meet us there – in St. Thomas.

 It’s a couple of hours. We should be there around 2. 

Yes, your family will meet us there. We will take good care of you. Do you want a Coke?

No, the Coke is free. You don’t have to pay for that. Here, I’ll shut your blind for you. 

Right, we are going to St. Thomas. Your family will you meet you there. No, you don’t need to call them. They are going to meet you when you land. We will take you to them. Don’t worry. We’ve got you.” 

Awww...my heart melts a little. This stewardess is so sweet and kind and patient in tending to this woman. It makes me think of her family and how anxious they must be as well, what with Granny flying solo and all – especially if she is easily confused. I would be ever so grateful to know that someone was tending to my mother as kindly as this woman.

As the attendant approaches me with the snack cart, I request a fruit & cheese plate and indicate that I’d like to pay for the salad for the lady behind me as well. She says that they are already taking care of that. Then, she hands me back my credit card and says they will make mine complimentary too because it was so nice of me to offer. Whoa! A preemptive pay-it-forward! Very cool, considering we’re less than 11 hours into a new year.

Thinking back about my morning thus far, there are several instances of care or compassion shown to me…my husband ensuring I woke in time for my flight; my daughter’s sweet text telling me to have fun and she loves me; my dear friend inviting me on this trip; the kind gentleman who stepped aside so we could run like banshees to our gate in time. The stewardess comp’ing my snack. I’m sure there will be more.

There are many opportunities to be caring and/or show compassion daily, and it needn’t be Mother Theresa stuff. Let the guy in who is trying to merge. Let the lady behind you in line with only 2 items jump ahead of you. Hold a door for someone. It’s fairly simple; one must simply be aware.

As we leave the plane, a nice young man helps the woman walk down the shaky stairs from the plane...more caring and compassion. She makes it to a wheelchair and the staff takes her to her family who is awaiting her arrival. Many people made that happen – it truly takes a village.

What I learned today: Caring and compassion come in many forms, and can even score you a free cheese plate.