Last Spring I broke my leg in a rugby game. Just days after the surgery I decided I was still going to fly to New Mexico for the Nationals Competition. I was so worried that the flight would be painful, cramped, and all around difficult. After all, it's hard enough to be on crutches, but to use crutches when a plane is tilting this way and that! At the check in desk, an employee for the airline saw me with my crutches and wheelchair and went out of her way to make my trip as comfortable as possible. She wheeled me all the way to the plane's entrance and upgraded my ticket to first class so I would have more space for my cast. It lifted my spirits to know people can be so compassionate- even to strangers. And the first class cheesecake was great too!
January 23, 2009 at 12:10 AM
The following was originally posted on Sept. 24, 2008. It is being re-posted as part of our CHICKS ROCK! Holiday series.
I think Maine has always been one of my favorite states. I love New England in the summer and autumn months, and when the opportunity to go to the northernmost state in the region presented itself, I knew I had to go. With only one full day to really explore Portland, which is on the southeastern coast of Maine, I hoped that the weather would be pleasant enough for sailing. When I heard raindrops hitting the windows of my hotel room that morning, I had to replace these plans with tours through the Portland Museum of Art, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home and the Victoria Mansion. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the tumultuous history of Portland, and getting lost (and drenched) in its quirky streets.
As great as all of these tourist attractions were, it was my brief meeting with a friendly waitress at a well-known neighborhood restaurant that I will remember most. From the moment Kelly seated me and my parents at our table, we felt a genuine connection to her that was anything but fake. She introduced us to some unique local produce, told us about upcoming events and places of interest in Portland, and gave us directions by drawing simple street maps on some note paper. Kelly went out of her way to give us advice without any benefit on her part, and that is quite rare. By the time I went back to the hotel that evening, I almost forgot about the rain and my failed plans to sail.
[Image]There is something to be said about the kindness of strangers, especially when traveling. I hope to meet more people like Kelly in my future sojourns. Have any of you had a similar experience? I would love to hear your comments.
posted by Pauline Karakat at 9:00 AM on Dec 24, 2008
"The Kindness of a Stranger*"
1 Comment -
Last Spring I broke my leg in a rugby game. Just days after the surgery I decided I was still going to fly to New Mexico for the Nationals Competition. I was so worried that the flight would be painful, cramped, and all around difficult. After all, it's hard enough to be on crutches, but to use crutches when a plane is tilting this way and that! At the check in desk, an employee for the airline saw me with my crutches and wheelchair and went out of her way to make my trip as comfortable as possible. She wheeled me all the way to the plane's entrance and upgraded my ticket to first class so I would have more space for my cast. It lifted my spirits to know people can be so compassionate- even to strangers. And the first class cheesecake was great too!
January 23, 2009 at 12:10 AM