The Fun Crew

I kept my mind open to meeting some great people and man did my theory of making new friends ring true today.

It started before I even got on the plane and met a wonderful couple named Nancy and Charlie. It turns out that Nancy swims in the pool at Lakeshore. We had never met before because she keeps mostly to the downstairs pool while I am usually upstairs in the field house.

I started my flight wonderfully just like any other Southwest Airlines flight because I didn't have to use an aisle chair. I could just transfer from my wheelchair to the front row. It makes life so much easier!

Most airlines do a great job of helping disabled passengers, but Southwest is king because they know how to deal with people of any ilk. If we can figure out a way to get along with anyone, we will all be very successful in life. This is the reason why I will take a connecting Southwest flight before a direct flight by somebody else if I have a choice.

Southwest crews are always the friendliest, but I knew this was a special crew with Emily’s warm greeting, Nancy’s willingness to talk sports and the bond I shared with Steve as a fellow Illinois alum.

This set the stage for one of my more fun airplane stories. After Steve questioned my Illinois loyalty because I said I root for Alabama because an Alabama victory makes some of my rugby brothers so happy I had to prove myself. After a dare to sing the Illinois alma mater I obliged complete with Chris Rathje rugby playing volume.

If it bothered anyone on flight 1756 I apologize, but I don’t mess around when it comes to my Illini.

It was a wonderfully typical flight filled with random bits of conversation, peanuts, Coca Cola, and me jotting down some random notes. The soda had soon done its job and it was time for me and the Coke to part ways. When I returned from the bathroom Emily offered me some hand sanitizer. I have made well over a hundred bathroom crawls in my day and this was the first time anyone offered me hand sanitizer. One other time someone offered me a Kleenex.

I relish the times when I eat soup with a fork and I do what needs to be done to live my life, but little acts of kindness like that makes it easier to remember I am not the only one who believes life is a team sport.

I have no connection to Southwest Airlines, but man would I like too! If there is one airline, heck one company, that understands what I believe in it is Southwest Airlines. Southwest crews know how to eat soup with a fork and they realize the party is everywhere.

It was a special flight filled with special people. Thanks Nancy, Charlie, Emily, Nancy and Steve!

Thanks for reading
Chris

Airport People

I'm very excited to be writing my first post from an airport! After a short journey in Midway I located the accessible laptop station and I'm having a blast with my buddy Mac.

I love airports because they represent endless possibilities. They are the portals to anywhere in the world.

They are also exciting because within the halls of airports lies beautiful mosaics of people going about their lives with infinite purposes and possibilities. I'm always hopeful that I will run into an old friend or make a new one.

The only time I ran into an old friend that comes to mind is when we figured out that I would be leaving Birmingham within 45 minutes of when my former roommate and brother in life Rob was coming into town. When only one gate separated us everyone in the airport knew Robbie John had arrived!

I always hold out hope that I will run into another long-lost friend but it has not panned out yet. I convinced myself for a minute I saw a former classmate today in Midway, but after further investigation I realized the woman I came across was a couple inches too tall and had sadder eyes.

Regardless if I ever get another blast from the past or not, I love the friends I make like the man who worked for train supply company headed to China, the softball player headed back to Tuscaloosa or the friendly couple headed to Colorado.

Airports are also wonderful experiments in frequency. You can be remembered by the friendly ticket agent in Detroit or the friendly janitor in Houston and you can also be practically forgotten by a myriad of other people because of what people choose to tune in on when you meet.

It is an excellent reminder to send out your best to the world at all times.

My trip home, filled with family is over. It is now time to train back in Birmingham. I will see my friend the airport soon enough when it is time for West Palm and rugby to converge for Knock 'n Roll!

Headed to Bama like a freight train on an airplane.

Thanks for reading
Chris