MAKES YOU THINK......

My very precious friend Monica sent this to me today, and it is one of those things that we often come across in our lives that makes you stop everything and just THINK. Like, think first, before we react like we so often do to our mundane little moods, you know? Thank you Monica, this was a lovely way to start my day today.


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I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and
stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure
to be a long, uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and
slow
moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for
the
overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the
growing
line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight
was
not starting out very well.
I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused
on
"my"
issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of
these
clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so
I
just thumbed thru the magazine from the seat pocket in front of
me.
With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin
door
open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were
well
past the scheduled take off time. "No wonder the airline industry
is
in trouble," I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the
intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed. The entire
plane
let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are
holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on
their
way
to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes."
The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised
that
"I"
was finally going to be on my way home.
Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity
or
sports figure to be the reason for the hold up.........
Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I thought.
The
attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and
excited
voice that we were being joined by several Canadian soldiers
returning
home from Afghanistan!!!
Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into
applause.
The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering
for
them as they searched for their seats. They were having their
hands
shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's
distance
of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed
the
hand of one of the soldiers as he passed by her. The applause,
whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.
When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian
checking
his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my
easy
chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These men had
done
for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and
"my"
issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the
conveniences of the Canadian way of life I took for granted
others
paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few
minutes
delay to "me" those Heroes going home to their loved ones.
I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes
before
we landed I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the
speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our
heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the
plane.
The cheers and applause continued until the last soldier stepped
off
and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted
everyday
freedoms.........
I felt proud of them.
I felt it an honour and a privilege to be among the first to
welcome
them home and say "Thank You" for a job well done.
I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson
learned.
I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active
servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who
cannot because they are no longer with us.
GOD BLESS!! WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!
This is a ribbon for Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
Pass it on to everyone and pray.


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Take care of each other, and have a good week. PEACE!

Love Jude