I’ve got a pretty good grasp on airport travel times, not because I was a well-traveled child—after all, I’m one of three siblings, and flying all of us anywhere would have been a financial stretch—but because I spent countless hours shuttling back and forth to the airport. Why, you ask? Because my mom was the go-to gal for all her friends when it came to airport rides.
Seriously, in her social circles, she’s practically a legend.
Now, it’s important to clarify that her friends aren’t struggling financially. They could easily take a taxi or pay for parking at the airport. But for my mom, it was never about the money. She firmly believes that no one should have to deal with the hassle of a taxi for airport travel. It’s just not done!
Growing up in the golden age of air travel, when people dressed sharply to fly, my mom couldn’t imagine sitting at home while a dear friend jetted off. The thought of someone she cared about arriving home to an empty terminal? Unthinkable!
Living in the bustling city of New York, where I’ve never owned a car, and managing a full-time job as a single parent means I don’t have the luxury of those spontaneous road trips with friends. Nevertheless, I absorbed the essential lessons from all those airport runs. I’m the friend who will linger after the party to help with the cleanup, or show up to brunch with a stash of mangoes and bananas for a fresh fruit salad, even if it means slicing them up in your kitchen without a peeler (seriously, why don’t you have one? Here’s a great one on Amazon!).
I’ll be there to write a glowing recommendation for your child’s dream school or bring a fresh pair of underwear to your hospital room. Yes, that’s happened to me twice this year alone! Honestly, there should be an app for delivering clean underwear to hospitals. I mean, come on, Victoria’s Secret or Hanes could totally thrive in hospital lobbies.
What I’m getting at is this: it doesn’t have to be an airport ride. Whenever we can lend a hand to someone in need, we should do it. Not just because it helps them, but because it nourishes our own spirits. My mom understood this deeply: by picking up a friend at the airport, you’re gifting yourself with a sense of community and love. And who wouldn’t want to know that after a long journey, a smiling face is waiting at the other end?
If you’re interested in more insights about insemination options, you can check out this post from our other blog.
In summary, my mother’s lessons about kindness and service transcend airport runs. The joy of helping others enriches both their lives and ours. So, let’s keep this cycle of generosity going, ensuring that we’re all greeted with warmth, no matter where life takes us.