redpinemountain.com

Hurry

I’m happy to be back to Red Pine Mountain after a quick trip south. I’m card dropping today and trying to catch up on every one’s blogs and I’m grateful to have an internet connection again.

I had an experience traveling which I decided to share.

As most of you who have flown recently know, air travel is no longer an enjoyable experience. It’s frustrating coping with multiple delays, security checkpoints and being crammed into tiny seats with little amenities. The conditions are designed to bring out the worst in us as we try to be the first on the plane, the first off the plane, the first through security, etc.

I am no exception. I was in line waiting for my zone to be called. The pre-boarding of parents with children and the elderly had just finished. It was time from us to get on the plane.

An elderly couple appeared by my side, slow moving, slightly bent and very tired. Without any thought on my part, I stepped back and allowed them to get ahead of me and board the plane.

As they walked on, I heard a voice screaming beside me, “Who do you think you are?” I turned around and there was a lady in her early thirties screaming at me over and over, “Who do you think you are letting everyone ahead of you in line?” She used a couple of obscenities as well.

I was scared and started shaking. As you know, this is no time to make a scene at an airport but beyond that I couldn’t imagine her being so angry. I’ve never had the experience of someone yelling at me in that manner. It was unnerving.

I spoke to her as quietly as possible and told her I was very sorry but the people I let on were obviously in need of a seat and I figured since we were younger and more able bodied, it was the right thing to do. I also told her to go ahead of me and apologized for any inconvenience I caused her.

She didn’t even acknowledge my words, just pushed on ahead of me and mumbled under her breath the entire way down the walkway.

I boarded the plane and discovered she was seated behind me. Needless to say, our short flight seemed endless to me.

When the plane landed, I wanted to be out of there before there was any more unpleasantness. I was almost off when the lady caught up to me. I started apologizing once again for causing her any inconvenience. She stopped me and said, “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’ve learned a lesson from you today about impatience and temper and in the future, I’m going to be more aware of my actions. You were absolutely right to let those people get on the plane and I’m sorry I was so rude.”

I was so astonished and I was overwhelmed by her apology and I admired her for having the courage to speak with me.

Life is made up of daily small interactions with people. We are all caught up in our own busy worlds and in a rush and pressed for time. We all want to be there “now,” but there is no destination so important that our journey should be forgotten. I’m blessed that I was reminded of that fact once again.