This title should have been more of a question. Can you have empathy for a stranger? But first, let’s back up. A couple weeks ago Barb asked, “What are you going to write about this month?”
“You should make it something funny,” she continued. “Your last few articles have been pretty serious.”
Well, it really doesn’t work like that. I’m not that talented. As I’ve stated before, I really never know what I’m going to write about. More often than not it’s the 9th of the month and it’s due on the 10th. Something will happen and an idea gets stuck in my head.
Around the same time, a customer tells me he likes my articles and then he asks if I use AI to write them. “AI,” I said, “Do I look smart enough to use AI,” I replied! I can’t even spell it! No, these articles are the miscellaneous ramblings of my disturbed mind. Furthermore, once an idea pops into this head, I have to write it in order to move on to the next.
With that said, I was making one of my monthly return flights back to Mesa from Michigan last September. Waiting patiently to board the plane, I could not help but notice an elderly gentleman, I would guess about mid-80s, sitting in a wheelchair, also waiting to be loaded onto the plane (to be loaded on the plane!).
He was talking rather loudly while sitting there. Basically, to anyone within ear shot. Actually, everyone in the gate area could hear him. Most tried very hard not to make eye contact or rolled their eyes in disapproval. He had basic questions, “How are you today? Where in Arizona do you live? What’s your dog’s name?” I must admit, I also paid little attention.
I thought how lucky he is to be one of the first loaded on the plane. I finally made it to my seat; he was three rows ahead of me.
Once in the air and when the seat belt sign went off, I could hear him start up again. He had the aisle seat and a middle-aged lady at the window. He tried to make conversation as she buried her face in a book.
So, to the other side of the aisle, he shifted his attention. I couldn’t help but notice at that point, He Had Very Kind Eyes! Then I thought, I was able to walk on the plane with no assistance, but he needs to be loaded on and off. How did that make him feel? That could be me at some time.
The flight staff were all very nice, always stopping to answer or engage with him. His attempt to engage with people around him was nothing more than a lonely person saying, “Hey, I’m an interesting guy if you give me chance.” All he really wanted was some human contact and maybe to say, “Don’t judge me by my age and handicap. I’m so much more.” So now, the question to myself was, could I show a little empathy?
I now wanted to make contact with him. Why was he traveling alone? Was he returning to Ariz. after visiting his family in Michigan? Was he a veteran? I could only assume he was a widower. But what was his life about, what stories could he tell?
Unfortunately, every time I thought I would start a conversation, the seat belt sign came on. Then not long after, we started our descent into Mesa. Once on the ground and at the gate, the rush to be the first to stand in the aisle began. I missed my opportunity. But now at least I have empathy for anyone with kind eyes!
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