This Is Your Lucky Day!
On a recent flight to the U.S. from Switzerland I was seated towards the front of the plane for the 11-hour flight. As is often the case when I fly, I boarded the plane early and stood next to my place and watched passengers as they boarded.
More often than not travellers think that I am one of the flight attendants. This is probably because my travelling attire is a navy blue pantsuit. Passengers ask me all kinds of questions that I sometimes answer. I pride myself in knowing that row 46 is most assuredly towards the back of the plane, etc. There are also some destinations that I prefer because of the attitude of the travellers from those areas, especially in Midwestern U.S. People from those regions bring basic values on board with them. They are happy to help others and are exceptionally polite to the flight attendant’s double – me.
As often happens on full flights, families get separated with seats scattered throughout the aircraft. This happened on one of my flights to Minneapolis from Amsterdam. A grandfather was seated alone in the center section where he would definitely need assistance to get out. When one of the daughters started showing stress over the situation, the young woman next to the grandfather smiled and said that it would be no problem. She would take care of him. She and the grandfather, who were just across the isle from me, had such a good time that neither even slept. And, when it was time to disembark, the elderly gentleman would offer his arm only to his young seat mate to help him out.
Let’s now return to the front of the plane on this same flight. Two rows in front of me was a couple sitting together and chatting. Shortly a woman came and announced loudly to the man, “I think you are in my assigned seat!” It was an excellent seat with extra legroom so I anticipated that he might try to keep it. Indeed he did, but not in the way that one would anticipate. He leaned towards the woman and said, “I am, and this is your lucky day! I have just bumped into this old friend of mine and since I would like to sit with her I am offering you my assigned seat – in business class.” She obviously did not argue, but graciously accepted the exchange.
I like his expression. “This is your lucky day”. So often unexpected experiences do transform our day into a “lucky day”.
Bonnie Fatio
Age-Esteemers Come In All Shapes And Sizes
I love to meet age-esteemers in different parts of the world. Here I am in Yvoire, France studying a newly found age-esteemer standing in front of one of the shops.
Age-esteemers come in all shapes and sizes, but they are easy to recognize. They draw people of all ages to them because they are happy and confident in being just who they are, their authentic selves.
Bonnie Fatio
Do You Hate To Fly?
Do You Hate To Fly?
If you find you have to fly
Try to think about the sky
Look, its almost always Blue
Clear and Bright – that could be You!
Young or old, each “flight” is new
If clouds be gray, what to do?
Just take the journey anyway –
Be happy for another day.
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®
Alexandra Taylor, our Age Esteem Poet, spends several winter months in the land of her childhood roots, Palm Beach, Florida. Fortunately she is en route back home to Geneva, Switzerland. – Thus the topic of the poem.
We look forward to a new flow of verse to keep our rhythmic age esteem alive with rhyme and smiles.
Written On A Bumpy Bus!
I’m writing from a Greyhound Bus,
A Public Transportation.
I’m learning not to make a fuss,
Instead: a celebration!
Happy to be traveling on
To one more destination.
As my life goes unraveling on –
On to a brand new station.
One can voyage without leaving home
By letting your mind wander,
Creating mood trips, like a poem:
Vast passages to ponder!
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®
Not all of us associate autumn with chilly air and colored leaves. What is autumn like in your country? What does it look like? Are there special traditions or holidays during this time of year where you live? We would love to have you share what this season is like for you.
Bonnie Fatio
Is there an age limit for air travel?
When I was checking in on-line for my Continental Airlines trans-Atlantic flight today, I was asked to indicate my date of birth. As I was scrolling down to 1943, I wondered how far back the dates went. What is the oldest date that they offer as a choice?
It was 1880! Thank you, Continental. There is no doubt in my mind that more of us will push the age barriers. It is refreshing to know that I will still be able to fly with you at the age of 130!
A Gem Of A Business
I’m always delighted to discover AgeEsteemed Businesses. Denise’s Beachway Cafe* in Bradenton, Forida is such a place. Although we were only in the area for a week, we ate there three times. The food was delicious and the environment welcoming – and full of AgeEsteem.
- Welcoming for all ages: 50 plus customers, grandparents with grandchildren, business people and small groups of friends of all ages.
- Staff of multiple ages with most being 50 plus who love doing just what they do. In fact, Denise told me « I hire them for their smile and attitude. – I can teach anyone the mechanics of the job ».
- Family atomosphere. Staff call many customers by name, asking about their families and activites. (Giving your name to sign up for a table probably helps.) Many sign in on their own We saw one regular customer scrub his hands and help put utensils together with napkins after he had paid his bill. Another was paying for past meal bills that had been held for him.
- Even when the place is packed with people waiting for tables, the racing waitresses still manage a genuine smile and welcome. And….
- The food is good and within most budgets since you can eat for under $10 even after adding on the tip.
Thank you, Denise, for showing the way to other small business owners. You have a gem of a business, full of AgeEsteem.
*Denise’s Beachway Café, 7224 Manatee Ave. W, West Bradenton, Florida.
This is based entirely on my own personal experience.
