Lifes little gifts come in many places. Today I had a WW2 Sailor watching out for me. Mr. Bill T. He was in the front seat beside me on the bus when I met up with Oklahoma Honor Flights today at BWI. After a crazy morning and having to catch an early flight that changed to a later flight into Nashville then BWI, I had run through CMH then BWI to not delay their tour. One bus had a wheelchair lift problem and another had AC issues. Not one complaint. Its an an adventure Bill T said. My regular bus driver had chosen to assist Chicago and we had 3 new drivers on our buses to break in all at once. At least the park police escort knew me and knew our pattern of routes and stops and that alone helped the day go better. The 86 degrees felt like 100 and there was not much breeze. The Ww2 tour was done and Bill soon realized that sitting next to me came with a few more things in our way. The DVD we play, my magic backpack and my extra coat and blanket we use for those vets who chill in the AC we crank so the guardians do not pass out from the heat. Oh and the power cord for my phone and boxed lunch and water. He knew where the items ended up and moved things out of my seat so I could sit down. All.Day.Long. He got off at each memorial and back on with the biggest smile and he watched to make sure I made it back on the bus. He made this his job today and he did it well. He asked me many questions about DC and he interjected little jokes here and there. Something told me he needed to get out more and that his quick wit was wasted in the nursing home he came from. Out on a lark was more his style, and he was not going to miss a moment of HIS trip. He did not nap and he kept the arbys box his lunch came in. I gave him my customary Hug and thanked him for trusting us to take good care of him. He patted my arm over and over unable to form the goodbye. The action spoke volumes. Carrying his box and a part of my heart he headed to the plane.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 00:46:09 +0000