An interesting story

No photos this time, people.  I rarely do that to you, but I hope this story will stand on it's own. It's actually a bit extraordinary, and 100% true.

Getting home to Thompson Falls, MT. from London, Ontario, Canada took 22 hrs. from start to finish. As you can imagine, I was physically, and emotionally exhausted from dealing with my father's death, funeral, and subsequent legal issues.  By the time I boarded my last flight from Las Vegas to Spokane, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry.  I took a window seat and stared into the black night, hoping no one would want the middle seat so I could brood uninterrupted.  It wasn't long before a nice looking woman took the aisle seat. I turned long enough to give her a smile, but didn't respond when I heard her making little comments to herself about her crazy evening.  At the last minute, another woman rushed down the aisle, and asked if the middle seat was taken.  She was obviously flustered, and I couldn't help but overhear my two seatmates talking about what a crazy night they'd been having!  It seems there was a delay at some airport due to lightening (I just smiled... I had been delayed, too), and someone had driven like a maniac to make it to the airport in time, etc. etc.

I wasn't going to say anything.  I just smiled, and nodded, and suddenly heard myself commenting, "You think that's bad?  I started my day in London, Ontario. And when we reach Spokane, I still have a 3 hr. drive to get home!"  The women were sympathetic, and asked why I'd been in Canada- and I found myself talking to them.... laying out the story with phrases like... "after that..." and "but that's not the worst of it!" and, "wait until you hear THIS part!"  I outlined the entire fiasco.... how I learned my father was in the hospital when I made my routine call to him that morning... how they told us not to fly up because he would rally and be fine... how I learned he'd died just minutes before running out the door to catch my plane... how I was delayed in Denver for HOURS because of lightening... what it felt like to see my daughter, who'd already flown up, meet me at the baggage claim at 3 am... the reunion of the sisters... trying to find a way from Detroit, MI to London, Ont., and finally ending up taking a $300 cab across the border... walking into my Dad's house... meeting the housekeeper, and finding two rooms of the house locked when there were supposedly no keys to them... finding that the housekeeper had made all the funeral arrangements... changing all the funeral arrangements... the funeral (which was lovely, by the way)... the altercation during the reception between the housekeeper's husband and the stepsons... reading the will and finding out Dad had given the house, and one full share of the estate to the housekeeper... discovering evidence of elder abuse and coercion... the housekeeper's husband calling the police to kick my sister and I out of our father's house (and the neighbor charging in to save the day!)... the meeting with the lawyer... and finally, finding out from the neighbors that the housekeeper had thrown a party to celebrate the night my father died!

The women were aghast!  They agreed I had just topped anything they could ever come up with.  We introduced ourselves, and found that our names all started with M's!  :)   Quirky little coincidence!  Then, we found out that Mary and I were BOTH PRESCHOOL TEACHERS!  I mean... what ARE the odds???  And Marian?  She turned out to work in the court system prosecuting elder abuse cases!!!  No... really!  I'm telling you the truth!

Mary signaled to the flight attendant, and gave her three drink coupons.  We each took our glass of wine, when Marian reached into her bag, and pulled out the most delicious little cookies ever... When I protested that I had nothing to share, they assured me my contribution was the best story they'd heard in quite awhile.  And then, we lifted our glasses, and saluted my Dad.  They added their fervent wishes for a just outcome.

The flight was short, and it wasn't long before we were descending. Three strangers, meeting on a plane, our lives touching for a brief moment. We did not exchange phone numbers or email addresses. I doubt they will ever think about me again- but I will be forever grateful for their kindness, their listening ear, their presence. Thank you, Angels Mary and Marian.  May you be forever blessed.