Ive developed a fear of air travel. It started about 1 year before 9/11 and has nothing to do with terrorists. Im not even afraid of heights. Ive flown maybe 10 times in my life, and each time things seem to get worse. I didnt like the feeling of helplessness, and the morbid thoughts keep enterning my mind.
My last flight was coming back from Baltimore, I was seeing a customer in York Pa, which is only 50 miles away from the BWI airport. I was sitting in the last seat in the tail of a Southwest 737.
I was sitting next to a thin silver haired woman who was dressed like Indiana Jones. She was probably in her late 60’s very refined, appeared to be very learned and wise. She had a pleasant aura, and I couldnt help smile when I looked at her.
I was trying to hide the fact that I was a wreck, completely nervous, and was convinced this was the day that I would die in a firey crash.
It turns out she was an archeologist, could speak many languages, and was telling me stories of her travels during our flight.
At one point during the flight about half way through our 3 hour flight, we ran into massive turbulence and being in the tail end of a plane only amplified it. I really thought that this was it, here it is, I predicted it.
My new friend must have known something was wrong with me. I was trying my best to not become unhinged.
With a knowing smile, my new friend reached over and took my hand.
In that instant, my fear dissapeared. I was at ease. All of my fear was gone and became so calm that i felt sort of buzzed.
It was a very rough ride, many of the passengers were nervous, but this woman next to me never once made a peep or whine. She had a natural smile – and as I think about this, I dont think Ive ever seen anyone else with that type of inner peace.
She held my hand until we made it through the turbulence. But even after, for the rest of the flight, I felt pleasantly numbed.
After unboarding, I hugged her. As we said goodbye, I caught the slightest hint of sadness in her. It was so minute and quick, but I saw it in the lines at the corner of her eyes. She was still smiling though.
I dont understand why this strange new friend of mine would have been sad for even a one second. I tried to analyze it many times over the years, and I am still at a loss.
I dont know if my new friend was an angel, or maybe I was just also helping her also in some way that I am unaware of.
But since then, when Ive had been under intense distress, that incident come to mind, and it helps calm me.
Thank you my friend. I havent forgotten.
My last flight was coming back from Baltimore, I was seeing a customer in York Pa, which is only 50 miles away from the BWI airport. I was sitting in the last seat in the tail of a Southwest 737.
I was sitting next to a thin silver haired woman who was dressed like Indiana Jones. She was probably in her late 60’s very refined, appeared to be very learned and wise. She had a pleasant aura, and I couldnt help smile when I looked at her.
I was trying to hide the fact that I was a wreck, completely nervous, and was convinced this was the day that I would die in a firey crash.
It turns out she was an archeologist, could speak many languages, and was telling me stories of her travels during our flight.
At one point during the flight about half way through our 3 hour flight, we ran into massive turbulence and being in the tail end of a plane only amplified it. I really thought that this was it, here it is, I predicted it.
My new friend must have known something was wrong with me. I was trying my best to not become unhinged.
With a knowing smile, my new friend reached over and took my hand.
In that instant, my fear dissapeared. I was at ease. All of my fear was gone and became so calm that i felt sort of buzzed.
It was a very rough ride, many of the passengers were nervous, but this woman next to me never once made a peep or whine. She had a natural smile – and as I think about this, I dont think Ive ever seen anyone else with that type of inner peace.
She held my hand until we made it through the turbulence. But even after, for the rest of the flight, I felt pleasantly numbed.
After unboarding, I hugged her. As we said goodbye, I caught the slightest hint of sadness in her. It was so minute and quick, but I saw it in the lines at the corner of her eyes. She was still smiling though.
I dont understand why this strange new friend of mine would have been sad for even a one second. I tried to analyze it many times over the years, and I am still at a loss.
I dont know if my new friend was an angel, or maybe I was just also helping her also in some way that I am unaware of.
But since then, when Ive had been under intense distress, that incident come to mind, and it helps calm me.
Thank you my friend. I havent forgotten.
