My Connecting Flight | One That I Will Always Remember

I’ve met some of the most interesting people waiting at gates in airport terminals, and on flights around the country. Many have been like kindred souls, others have been amusing and two encounters ended up  being somewhat life changing.

I’ll tell you about one of these moments, and the person I met on a cold November day.

I had just spent a month out west, visiting 3 of my daughters and 5 of my grand children.  I had spent time in Colorado and Wyoming.  I am always excited about getting back home to my husband, when I’ve been away from him for more than a few days…but I’m always sad to leave my kids and grand kids when it’s time to say good-bye.  They all mean so much to me, and I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I would like.  In addition to my melancholy feelings, I had hurt my back a few days before my departure, and I was in a great deal of pain. (And yes, I had seen a doctor and been treated, but I couldn’t take the stronger of the two pain medications, while traveling.)  I was dreading the flight home.

As soon as I was seated in my usual bulkhead row, I yanked out a book and started reading.  It wasn’t a full flight, and there was a delay in take off, so one of the flight attendants asked me about the book I was reading.  We chit chatted about this and that, and the conversation rolled around to talking about our children, and at one point, I mentioned that I was an independent book reviewer.  We continued to talk until we were finally able to take off.

You never know who you’re going to end up sitting next to!

Just as soon as we were air-born  the man sitting next to me, asked if we could talk for a few minutes.  He said that he was listening to my earlier conversation with the flight attendant  and that he had written a book that he thought I might enjoy reading.  He told me about himself, his past, his family, and finally his book.  I was a little hesitant, because it all sounded a bit overboard.  I’m beginning to think that I’m sitting next to a total whack job.  I mean, come on…how many former drug addicted, previously incarcerated, turned millionaire business owning, authors, does one end of sitting next to 25,00 – at 30,000 feet up in the air?  He proceeds to tell me about his book, and the volunteer work that he now does, and asks if I would like a copy of his book, along with the book on CD.

In my head, I’m screaming to myself  “Ummm – maybe I should quietly get up, and move slowly, ever so slowly, to another seat, just as far away as I can get, from this probable nut case?”

Well heck fire, no sooner does the pilot announces that he is turning off the seat belt sign, and that we are free to move around the cabin, this guy jumps up out of his seat, pulls down his carry on bag, and pulls out a hard copy of his book, and a box of CD’s.  I’m absolutely astonished.  I take the book, and thank him kindly, and ask if he minds if I scan the book.  I start reading, and I’m hooked.  20 minutes into the book, I’ve got tears running down my cheeks, and I’m nodding, and muttering , “oh yes yes”.

 He leans over and lightly touches my hand.  I look up, and he says ” If I can turn my life around – there’s hope for everyone!”

On that day I was privileged to be seated next to Weldon Long ~ author of THE UPSIDE OF FEAR. He had heard me telling the flight attendant about my children – one of who is bi-polar, addicted to drugs, and serving a long prison sentence.

How about you?  Have you ever had a “Connecting Flight” that has made a profound impact on your life?

Watch and enjoy!