1655hrs..
Many times I have met couples who are on their honeymoon holidays, and when you talk to them, you sense their excitement and hopes on the new life that they are going to embark on together. Then there are the old couples who are on their retirement holiday or taking a trip to see their children.
There was this semi retired couple I met on my first flight to London. They were going on one of their many retirement trips, and they were starting their Eurotrip in London then a cruise to Greece and Spain. The wife told me their children will take turns to pay for their holidays, while the husband excitedly took out his phone to show me pictures of their latest grandson. And I think, life is good for them.
On today's flight back from London (for the second time), I was assisting an old lady with her bags, and as I was going to put it in the overhead compartment, she told me that it is heavy and to get some help from the guys. But it wasn't that heavy and I told her I can manage. To which she said,
"You know, sometimes we do need a guy. I have been married for 55 years, and when my husband passed away, I told myself, I don't need a man. I can do everything myself. But as the days go by, you realised that there are all the little things that the men do that makes a difference to your life."
I guess it's the time of the month when my emotions are in overdrive, when she got to the part her husband passed away, I started tearing in my eyes and by the time she finished her piece she saw that my eyes were red, and she too started getting emotional and lamented about " all the trouble and confusion this old lady had to go through at the airport, just to go see my children and grandchildren in Australia. Why can't we all be in the same place together?"
Turns out she hasn't seen them in 3 years and I guess she's both excited and sad that she has to take 2 long flights once in a few years just to see them. I really do feel for this old lady. First the heartbreak of her dead husband, then the loneliness and void in her life that she tries to fill by attempting to see her children who are halfway across the world. And yet she's still so strong and determined.
I see these people, and I wonder if my life could be as good as theirs, or that I will survive if mine turns out to be like this. Will it one day be my turn?
