Sunday, December 10, 2017

Gratitude—#2





Last Sunday I began a series of gratitude postings. This week I want to share with you my Thanksgiving journey to Idaho.

Traveling has become increasingly worrisome for me. I can no longer read the terminal monitors or readily see the gate designations. Moreover, because of Meniere’s, my balance is askew. Couple this with the severe arthritis in my lower back and right hip and I walk slower than I used to and more cautiously. So airports test my resolve to travel. Given all this, I now request wheelchairs to take me between gates. This is a real “perk” of being disabled or elderly.

For this trip, I flew to Salt Lake City and then switched planes and flew to a regional airport in Idaho that serves several nearby small towns. All went well. The SLC wheelchair operator waited for me on the ramp and breezily wheeled me to a far gate for my flight to the regional airport.

The friends I visited have become my second family. I met the mother when I began to blog in 2011. She and her husband have four young children who call me “Grandma Dee.” I’ve never had children. So the six have become a blessing of my final years. I so enjoyed my visit with them and the many things we did together from playing cribbage to sitting in the hot springs of a local resort town. Lots of love and leisure.

The return journey brought stress with it.  I always have to be careful because stress exacerbates Meniere’s. That is, I experience acute rotational vertigo episodes. So it behooves me to stay calm at all times.

Here’s what happened: I had only 30 minutes between when the regional airport plane landed in SLC and when the plane for Kansas City departed. I had to get from the Gate-E-area runway where we disembarked by steps to the Gate D area for departure . . . AND . . . the regional plane was 10 minutes late. So when we landed I had only 20 minutes before the Kansas City plane flew off into the wild blue yonder.

Moreover, the wheelchair wasn’t there. My stomach tightened. Stress.

An employee called for a wheelchair. By the time the operator got to me, we had only about 12 minutes left before the KC plane departed. Remembering our journey today, all I can say is that he must be an Indie 500 enthusiast. Gripping the wheelchair handles, he zoomed me down numerous halls and lengthy passageways, bobbing and weaving between passengers with their carry-on luggage trailing behind them. He was, truly, a marvel of speed. He got me to the door of the plane with three minutes to spare.

The steward checked my name, directed me to my seat, gave the pilot the go-ahead, and within those three minutes the door closed and we began to wheel down the runway. One of my Minnesota friends calls this my “Christmas miracle.”

I still had another event for which to be deeply grateful. When I told a stewardess about the symptoms of Meniere’s—I always do this so as not to frighten anyone should I suddenly pitch forward and start to vomit—she told the head steward. After the plane had leveled off at its cruising altitude, he came to sit by me. “What will we see if you have an episode?” he asked. “Is there anything we can do to make this flight comfortable for you? What can we do to help if an episode happens?” His face. His eyes. His demeanor. All expressed real concern.

You see, don’t you, just how much there is for me to be grateful? The loving family. The mastery of the wheelchair operators. The solicitous steward.

And, finally, the generosity of my brother who drove me to the airport at the beginning of the trip and the friends who picked me back up eight days later. Life is good.


Peace to you now and ever and always.

24 comments:

  1. For sure you have much to be gratful for.How nice to be able to carry on even with limitations.

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    1. Dear Heidrun, there are so many helpful devices that enable me to live very happily. I'm going to blog about them! Peace.

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  2. Oh Dee.
    These days kindness and beauty move me to tears. Often. And I wept at the steward's kindness. Family/friends we expect/hope will be kind. A perfect stranger is much, much rarer.
    Thank you so much for this post which is overflowing with positivity.
    Heartfelt hugs.

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    1. Dear EC, when I got off the plane, he was standing at the door and I thanked him again for his solicitude--using that word. I could tell how touched he was. He reached out and touched my hand and thanked me. We both know that what goes around, comes around. How fortunate we are to know that and to live by it. Peace to you and yes, I, too, am moved to tears by so many things--beautiful in their essence.

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  3. I have come to realize that it’s the small things in life that make the biggest difference. A game of crib, help when it’s needed, the kindness of strangers. I’m glad you got to experience all of this and that despite your challenges in life, you see the beauty.

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    1. Dear Birdie, I've come to that realization also--that small things make the difference. Aren't we fortunate that we know that? It's taken me many years but finally a few rays of wisdom have come to enlighten me. Peace.

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  4. I am so happy, so happy. I've had to use wheel chair operators in less stressful situations, with success, and now I'm thinking, between them, and Laura...I may be able to go somewhere again. What hope your story gives me. I am just thrilled Thanksgiving went perfectly for you, as it should have.

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    1. Dear Joanne, I am so glad this posting deepened your hope for the future. This year has been such a difficult one for you. I think that the accident was in late March or early April and you've had a long haul. Believe me that people are so kind when we ask for help. Truly. Peace.

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  5. This is such a positive post of kindness, friendship, and love. It might take a village to get you where you want to go but there are so many good people that are there to help. It makes one feel better about the world. I am so glad you had a good time.

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    1. Dear Arleen, I so love that you used the image of a village--you and Hillary! I hadn't thought of that and it's true: a village of kind people helped me throughout that Thanksgiving visit. I'm beginning to think that it takes almost a village to do much of anything. And I'm hoping that a "village" will bring about change in the hearts of all those who forget that we are One in being. Peace.

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  6. You're a better man than I, Gunga Din!! I have given up flying. It's too hard for me to get around these days. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit with "our" grandchildren!!

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    1. Dear Gunga Din Fishducky, I suspect you do a lot of things I'm not equal to any more! As to the flying: my trip to Washington, D. C. (Reagan Airport) in September was the catalyst for requesting wheelchair aid. That airport almost did me in. Peace.

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  7. I am not looking forward to traveling across the country to see my sister. Right now I cannot go because of all the eye surgery limitations. But soon, like February, I'll be dealing with much of what you describe. I only hope I will run into such wonderful caring people. I am so glad to hear your trip went so well, thanks to the caring of strangers. :-)

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    1. Dear DJan, I'm always anxious when I fly, but the wheelchair really helps. All you do is get your ticket on line with whatever airline--mine was Delta--and at the end the site asks if you need wheelchair aid to board the plane or to maneuver the airport. The site doesn't ask a reason, just if you have a need. You click on that and it's all set up before you get to the airport. I highly recommend it as you probably know! Peace.

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  8. Having a body that is falling apart sucks but I am grateful that I have family who care and worry about me

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  9. Dear Jo-Anne, like you, I am so grateful for my family and my friends. their generous help amazes me. Peace.

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  10. I wasn't aware of the wheelchair services in airports. It seems they picked the right people to provide the service. Had to smile at the fellow flying through the terminal with you. What a ride. And that steward shows how sometimes the right people get into the right job. What a caring soul.

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    1. Dear Patti, I think wheelchairs are available both through the airport and the airline. I ordered mine online when I purchased my ticket. Before wheelchair, I always asked to preboard because of my Meziere's and my lack of balance.

      And yes that steward was so kind and thoughtful. I made sure to let Delta--the airline I flew--know about that.

      Peace to you now and always.

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  11. Dee...gratitude is a biggie. Every single day there is something to appreciate and be thankful for...you just have to recognize it. Your trip sounds great, sitting in hot springs had to feel so good. Glad you got home safe and sound. And a big thank you for keeping in touch.

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    1. Dear Lori, I did have a great trip. I'd never before even seen a hot spring. So first sight and then sitting in one was a real treat for me. Peace.

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  12. Dearest Dee you are AMAZING SOUL!
    I truly LOVE and RESPECT your attitude towards life !

    Reading this blissful post warmed my heart and blood.
    How lovely that your step siblings call you grandma. This is your love and humble behaviour which allow them to do so I am sure.
    I am so grateful that you safely reached to flight and staff on it was so gentle and friendly.

    I pray that may your health be better and backache leave soon .hugs!!!

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    1. Dear Baili, thank you for your kind words. And for your prayers for my health. That is so generous of you. Peace.

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  13. Much to be grateful for, indeed. The kindness, efficiency and concern of others can make or break such things as an airplane flight. Peace.

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    1. Dear Penny, I know that without the wheelchair help, I truly could never fly again. Peace.

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