Friday, September 11, 2009

Flight sensitivity.

Trooper wrote about his recent, very touching flight home here and reminded me that I wanted to write about my recent flight as well. Mine was touching in a different way.

I sat down at the gate to wait to board my flight to NY last Friday and began my usual people watching. Yeah, I'm the gal you can usually catch staring. I'm not trying to be rude - I just find people fascinating to look at and wonder about!

A man sits down across from me and I immediately notice him because he's talking kind of loudly into his mobile phone's earpiece. I notice that he is middle aged, a bit on the chubby side, not unpleasant looking, but dressed kind of sloppily in wrinkled old jeans and a button-down shirt. (He's also Jewish, I see, because he is wearing a yarmulke.) I want to see this guy get a makeover! Ah, first impressions...

Later, and well into the flight, I hear the flight attendant bell and notice two rows in front of me that a guy is in obvious distress. His wife is panic-stricken. I worry that he's having a heart attack, and it's just awful to watch for a few seconds. Until...two doctors appear at this guy's side and begin treating him, along with two nurses who have jumped up to help. The guy is in great hands, I can tell, and I also notice my sloppy guy at the gate is one of the doctors! Immediately transformed in my eyes to this super-studly hero! Makeover no longer necessary, trust me, as I stare at his now very handsome, warm face. I don't think this is a superficial thing. I think it's human nature, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Everyday heroes really are beautiful and an awesome sight to behold.

I watch, gratefully, as these medical personnel treat this man and calm him and his wife until we can land at LaGuardia to the waiting paramedics. And then I watch the heroes of this flight blend back into the crowd...and I smile with satisfaction and admiration.

15 comments:

blake said...

Great story, Dar!

I think it's true that heroism (or even basic competence) can really make others more attractive.

blake said...

<furiously starts practicing his CPR>

Darcy said...

Cute.

But what'cha practicin' that CPR on, blake? ;-)

And thank you.

chickelit said...

Very touching Darcy, and so very appropriate for today. You're such a good writer too- I wish I had your talent.

But what'cha practicin' that CPR on, blake?

"touching" too blake, but in the wrong places. ;-)

blake said...

Wh--what? What am I practicing on?

Good question! It's not like I have a bunch of resusci-Annies lying around or anything.

That'd just be creepy.

Anonymous said...

Excellent story. Thanks, Darcy.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Wow Darcy

I just saw Federer hit an impossible shot.

I know you are prob watching.

Of course he just advanced.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Nice story Dary.

ps: sorry to hear about Roger :(

Darcy said...

I have the sweetest group of readers on the net.

Thanks, guys.

And thanks, Bushman. I was a little sad, but not too bad. Roger's had a great run and I think there's more to come.

And Lem: I saw it! Woo!

Sissy Willis said...

'Came here from Twitter -- We're following each other!

Your inner light shines through in this brilliant essay . . . deeply moving and happy making.

Trooper York said...

Hey thanks for the shout out Darcy. You can never judge a book by it's cover.

That is a great story.

Darcy said...

Whoa. SissyWillis stopped by and high praise from both Sissy and Troop!

Sweet!

chuck b. said...

What everyone else said!

Airports are *great* places for people watching and I can love them for that reason alone.

motownmutt said...

great story, and such an honest truth about how our perceptions can change with new insight.

Darcy said...

Mutt! Great to see you here. :)