It’s been 3 days, 4 flights, 3 cities, 3 hotels, and 3 different time zones… I boarded my flight tonight on route to my last stop before heading home. Without thinking I sat in my row on the usual side of the aircraft, until someone boarded and realized I was sitting in their seat. I was on autopilot. It happens to the best of us. I was exhausted, and more focused on remembering which city I was flying to next then which seat I was assigned on this flight.
That said, although it’s been a busy few days, I can’t help but sit here tired and smiling at the miracle that took place just a few days ago. After a long travel day on a Sunday, I boarded my flight from Vancouver to Victoria. It was 7pm as our aircraft left the terminal bound for the tarmac. Perhaps the shortest flight I’ve ever been on, just 15 minutes in the air. As we taxied out to the runway, I noticed the sun beginning to set. It was a sight for sore eyes.
I smiled to the man next to me as I snuck my phone out of my pocket to snap a quick shot. He quietly acknowledged, I whispered, “these are the moments that make all of this worth it!” He nodded. Within minutes we took off. As the plane turned to head out across the water to the Island, I gasped. The sinking sun set the water below on fire with light. It was spectacular. For a moment, I was transported. I was awestruck by the beauty and powerful presence of the sun, more so where I was in the exact moment to witness this. I am certain I was almost out of my seat ready to explode from the joy of the sight. I couldn’t help but point it out to the man seated beside me. He smiled politely, but kept to himself. I watched his eyes gaze softly out the window at the sunset. In a brief moment of conversation he mentioned he was on his way to visit a family member who wasn’t well. I sensed the heaviness in his heart. I knew I couldn’t do or say anything that could lift the burden he carried. Instead, I smiled back at the sun and said softly, “I’m certain this is a sign that all will be ok.”
As we approached the island, the sky was ablaze. It was the most incredible sunset I’d ever seen. Although our electronics were supposed to be stowed, I snapped another handful of shots. I squealed under my breath. My heart was completely overflowing with warmth. The woman seated in front of me turned with a smile and asked if I caught a picture of the sunset. I nodded, trying to contain myself. As we landed and taxied to the airport, she asked if I would email her the photo as she had checked her camera with her luggage. “Absolutely!” I’m certain every person on that side of the aircraft was feeling the power of what we had just witnessed, it was a front row seat for the most incredible sunset.
Weary and excited, I sat in the back of the taxi on route to the hotel. I smiled, and immediately opened a text my mom had sent just before my first flight took off that morning. She said ‘I prayed that God would give you a hug for me because I haven’t been able to see you.” It had been a tough month. Lots of change and growth in life made for an uncomfortable time as I struggled to hold faith in my current journey. After breaking her foot several months prior, it because difficult for us to get together. I texted the photo to my mom and said “I got your hug!”
The next day, with a little rest, between meetings, I pulled out the note with the ladies’ email on it and sent her the photos from my phone. She responded almost immediately, her name was Angie, short for “Angela” and in my eyes, “Angel.” Her note back brought me to tears. The entire experience the night before had touched her, and the simple gesture of sharing the photographs moved her to share a story. A story of pain and struggle faced by both herself, and the man who sat next to me on the aircraft. I couldn’t wait to finish my meeting and fly back to the next city so I could digest and write her back. By then she had sent me a second email with one of my favourite poems about “A reason, a season, a lifetime.” The timing was incredible. It really was the answer I had prayed for earlier the day prior, a sign to know that I was on the right path. Here through the words of a woman I’d barely met in person, I received exactly what I needed. Her responses told me she’d also received a gift she’d needed from me.
More than 24 hours later, I still feel the lump in my throat and joy in my heart over the exchange. I’m not sure how, I’m not sure why, but yet again, life has filled my needs. Not because I asked, because I gave. Instead of praying for something I wanted or needed, I prayed the day prior that I could understand my purpose and give whatever it was that the world needed of me. Yesterday I gave, little did I realize that I would be the one who got back so much more than I gave. My heart is full, and I need for nothing…
Why I give…
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