I know the exact travel times to the airport not because I was a frequent flier as a child—being one of three siblings made air travel a luxury we rarely experienced—but because I spent considerable time driving to and from the airport. Why? My aunt was the go-to person in her social circle for airport drop-offs and pick-ups.
In her community, she has gained quite a reputation for this. It’s important to note that her friends are not financially constrained; they can easily afford taxis or the costs associated with parking their vehicles at the airport. However, my aunt’s approach to helping is not motivated by financial considerations. She firmly believes that no one should have to take a taxi to the airport—it’s simply not how she operates.
Growing up in an era when air travel was considered glamorous, her experiences shaped her view. Back then, passengers dressed in formal attire, rather than in casual sweatpants adorned with slogans. For her, the thought of staying home while a friend embarked on a journey was inconceivable; the idea that someone she cared about would arrive at their destination without a familiar face to greet them was unthinkable.
In my own life, living in a big city without a car and balancing a full-time job as a single parent means that I’m not able to replicate those long drives with friends. However, I absorbed the core lessons from my aunt’s airport excursions. I’m the person who will linger after a gathering to help with clean-up. I’ll show up at brunch with an assortment of fruits for a salad, which I’ll prepare in your kitchen, even if you lack a proper peeler (seriously, why don’t you have one? Here’s a great one that’s highly rated on Amazon). I write recommendations for your child’s dream school and bring essentials like clean underwear to the hospital when needed. Honestly, there should be a service for delivering clean underwear to hospitals—perhaps a company like Victoria’s Secret could capitalize on this idea.
The crux of my message is this: Offering help doesn’t have to revolve around airport trips. Whenever possible, we should extend our support to others, not only to assist them but also to enrich our own lives. My aunt understood this deeply: by picking someone up from the airport, you’re not just helping them; you’re also nurturing a belief in love and connection, along with the hope that one day, when you arrive somewhere after a long journey, someone will be waiting for you with a smile.
In conclusion, the lessons learned from my aunt’s selfless acts exemplify the importance of service to others. It fosters a sense of community and connection that benefits both the giver and the receiver.
For further reading on home insemination and related topics, check out this post on our blog, and for more authoritative information, visit Make a Mom and WebMD.