A moment in humility
In our often hectic life, we so very often overlook the smallest gestures of courtesy or kindness that is given to us. It often takes a bigger and more pronounced gesture to make an impact in our own little world.
I suppose we have been immunized by the vast amounts of violence and disasters that have happened over the past few years that, that it really does take something very personal to happen in one’s life to “wake us up”.
So it was with great relief and renewed respect, that I give kudos to the crew of Qantas QF0072 and the staff of Changi Airport (especially that energetic fellow that wheeled my mom around).
You see, mom is as stubborn as mothers can be, well at their age (which I cannot disclose for fear of reprisal). She had just about recovered from a bout of ‘flu and being a little more fragile at her age, we did advise her against travelling. But, ho.. no way was she going to listen. “There’s the kitchen to be cleaned. Your father’s probably made a rightful mess while I’ve been away. And who’s tending to my garden?” and on she goes.
Mom had been staying with us for her usual month-long break – to get away from winter – as well as to spend time with her grand-daughters. For the record, its true that grandmothers do dote on their grand-kids.
On that fateful morning of the 12th July, mom looked fine and cheery. Maybe she was well enough to travel after all. Everyone went downstairs to see her off at 7am.
10:30am and I get a call.. from mom, at the airport. She had gotten off the plane.
What transpired was that mom had suddenly felt faint and nauseous just as the cabin doors closed.
She called for the flight attendant, who summoned the leading stewardess. And it’s at this point that I realized how much attention must have been given to my mom. They were willing to make her as comfortable as possible; explaining that oxygen and ‘possibly’ a doctor was on-board. However, it was also made clear to her that it would be a 5 hour flight. The flight crew didn’t pressure mom at any point. It was all done very professionally. The choice was gently explained to mom that if she felt she couldn’t continue on the journey, she had the option to get off the plane and her luggage would be removed. I think at this point, mom knew that the flight was going to be delayed because of her. She felt really bad about this, but she made the choice to get off the plane.
I can empathize with her. It can be torturous enduring a long flight when you are ill. I suffered terribly en-route from Bangalore back to Singapore. The after effects lingered on for weeks after that, especially the tinnitus.
So, at this point, the words “the need of the one outweigh the need of the many”, has a real and physical essence. We don’t know how long the plane was delayed for. It may have been an hour, or maybe half that (the people at SATS are usually very efficient).
Whatever it was, this is an apology, and a thank you, for understanding.
Mom’s stuck with us now for another couple of weeks. She could only get a flight back to Perth at the end of July. But that’s good anyway. At least that’ll give her time to fully recover.
I don’t think the kids mind having ‘grandma’ around the house for while longer. And in the end, mom will have to attend her sister’s birthday on the 21 July.
~~ The moral of all this is. Don’t travel if you are not well ~~
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