the story within

Flying back from a quick weekend to NC, I boarded the plane to find myself sitting between two young men. One was 22 and returning to Seattle for his last 45 days in the Navy. He had been deployed twice serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and was winding down his 4 year service to his country. I was amazed at his dedication, his manners, his commitment to his country.  He spoke with pride about his work in the Navy. He spoke with love for his wife that had sacrificed living apart for those 4 years.

On the other side was a 13 year old young man with a Delta wristband which indicated he was flying on his own. He had asked to sit in my seat by the window and since I am not a fan of looking out at 10000 feet, I gladly let him have my seat. He said he felt better by the window. I wonder if he felt safer there. Traveling on his own relying on Delta staff, he remarked how he had never had the same staff escort in all his travels. How often does a 13 year old boy fly alone? This young man who was sitting by me traveled between parents about 11 times a year. He had been doing it for three years, and was looking forward to being 14 when he would be able to fly alone without the wristband. He spoke of his love for his little brothers and sisters on both ends of his world, and his love of sports.

I was privileged to be between these two young men. One was on the brink of moving on in his life, and the other lived in constant motion. Everyone has something to say..they have a story within them.
A simple seat arrangement brought us together, and in two hours of sharing I had a new understanding of two very different lives.

We all have a story within us and sharing it with a stranger seems to expand our world just a little.

Just something to think about.