[Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America. Story titled “Freedom Fighter”]
What started out as an ordinary plane flight left me awestruck! No two women on the same flight could possibly have been more extreme opposites.
I had just finished a very fulfilling speaking engagement to wives of warriors battling PTSD, and now I was ready to relax and unwind. And I was thankful to be sitting next to a pleasantly quiet young lady, who did not say a word the entire flight, but seemed to be elsewhere as she gazed out the window.
The plane had barely gotten off the ground when behind me came a vulgar streak of profanity in a piercing female voice. (Which I’m certain carried throughout the entire plane.) She let it be known that she had already had a few drinks and was on her way to party in San Francisco for the weekend.
Nosey person that I am, I had to sneak a peek. She was young, tall, wearing very short shorts, had lengthy tan legs, long golden hair, and a face that would sell magazines. Stunningly attractive by most standards. What was missing, I realized later, was a smile.
As hard as I tried to tune her out, I could not. Every sentence out of her mouth featured the words “I” or “me.” I have never heard one person talk for so long about themselves …so loudly, and with such foul language. And it was not even interesting. (No movie rights to this one!) She was consumed with bars, places to go, men …all about what SHE liked, wanted to do and see. SO empty! So annoying. So sad.
And still not a peep out of the lady next to me.
Finally we landed but were told we had to wait on the tarmac for the gate to open up. Suddenly all those who had connecting flights started panicking…and talking. The lady next to me was texting her mother asking for prayer. So we talked.
This quiet amazing lady was in the Navy – a Warrior – and was going for a 3 day weekend to meet her Navy Warrior husband in Hawaii, for the first time in a year and a half! And then they would have to wait another 16 months before they could be together again. Wow!
I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to her and her husband for their service and sacrifice. And what a gracious smile she returned. It truly was an honor to meet her!
Shortly the plane parked and everyone scrambled. I watched as the first female (hardly a lady) took off running to catch her flight for 3 nights of partying in San Francisco, all the while spewing offensive expletives.
And turning, I saw my seatmate, truly a classy lady, running to catch her flight for 3 days of celebration and closeness with her warrior husband.
As I walked on, I felt overwhelmed. Not sure just how, but I managed to pray for both, and gave thanks for one.
We all make choices in our lives that reflect
what we value as truly important.
The irony is that the one lady (along with her husband) is giving her all so the other female could have the freedom to do and say what SHE wants…totally oblivious to what it has cost millions of our best.
I hope more civilians wake up soon.
Thank you once again to ALL who have served and sacrificed, and all who will continue to do so for the rest of their lives.
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