Big Red Small and Simple Offerings

Scanning my boarding pass, I walk onto the airplane. Let’s see 12-C, here I am. I sit down and pull my book out of my purse, then place my purse under the seat in front of me. I am looking forward to just sitting, relaxing, and reading. On board I breathe out a sigh of relief, glad to have gotten through security without any hassle. I open my book and shiver.  Man, it’s cold on this plane. My heart sinks as I realize I forgot to take my jacket out of my suitcase. I had packed my jacket on top and had planned on pulling it out before checking my luggage so I would have it with me on the flight. How could’ve I forgotten it? I scold myself because I know planes can be cold. I hate being cold!

Just an hour ago I was wiping sweat from my forehead, as I drove through the hectic morning traffic trying to get to O’Hare airport on time so I can attend a September wedding in Utah.  Now sitting waiting to take off, I put my book in the pocket in front of me and begin rubbing my arms in an attempt to get warm. I reach up and turn the knob above me, closing off my seat’s fan. That helps a little, but it’s still uncomfortably cold. Sitting with goose bumps popping out on my arms, the plane begins to taxi, and I wonder if it is possible for me to acclimate to this temperature for my three-hour flight. Okay, I’m from Chicago, so I know how to be tough when cold. It won’t be that bad, I try to convince myself.

No, it’s bad, I admit as we take off. It feels like I am sitting in a giant – flying refrigerator. Looking above me at the lights I decide as soon as the seat belt warning light goes off, I’ll call the flight attendant and ask for a blanket. Problem solved. I look around; it appears that everyone is wearing a sweater or jacket. I twist my body to sit sideways with one arm against the seatback trying to warm up my right side and then rotate as I contort my body for the left side.  It would help if I could bring my knees up to my chest, but that’s not going to happen with no legroom. I’m watching the seat belt warning light while anticipating wrapping a blanket around myself. It seems like forever, but finally the light goes off.

I reach up and press the call light. A minute later a lady with big red hair appears, smiles at me and asks, “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, so I forgot to bring my jacket and I’m really uncomfortable, could I get a blanket please.”

“Oh, I am so sorry we don’t give out blankets anymore,” she says in a chipper voice.

“Oh, okay, I understand” I say while nodding, but I’m thinking to myself, “Wait, I don’t understand. They don’t give out blankets? What?  Why? I’m sure there are some somewhere.”  But the flight attendant has already walked away.  My disappointment turns into frustration. “How could she be so dismissive?” I continue my silent tirade, “Flight attendants just don’t seem to care anymore!  Airline companies don’t seem to care anymore either. They don’t give out food, they don’t give out blankets, and they don’t give service for that matter.”

Now, I’m feeling really miserable. I close my eyes and try to resign myself to my fate, like a guilty verdict, guilty of forgetting my jacket and sentencing, stuck on a freezing airplane.  Now two hours and fifteen minutes.  Ughh, I will be an icicle before the plane lands, a grumpy icicle, a grumpy, sick icicle.

Then, someone taps me on the shoulder.  I look up and see the red headed flight attendant.  She’s standing there with a big perky smile holding a large Styrofoam cup.  She hands me the cup.  I notice steam coming off the top.  Wow! It’s full of boiling water.  She says, “Here try this, let me know if you need a refill.”

I sit holding the cup, surprised and speechless. Immediately it warms my hands, and the warmth begins to slowly spread through my arms. I hug the cup to my chest and my whole body begins to thaw as I breathe in the steam coming off the top. “Awwhhh this feels really good.” I breathe deeply again as each nostril expands with the heat. The vapor catches on my eyelashes and I smile. I press the cup up to my face taking turns at each cheek and then back to my chest. I savor the sensation of warmth.  After a while, I move the cup up to my mouth and let the hot water touch my lips allowing a few drops to trickle down my throat.

I sit and say a sincere, silent prayer of gratitude for warmth and for the flight attendant’s kindness. I feel rather sheepish for my cruel thoughts. I know better than to judge harshly.

Hot water!  I never would’ve thought of it.  The warming sensation reminds me of something I haven’t thought of in years – the red, hot water bottle.  My mom would fill this red rubber container with boiling water and screw in the plug.  As kids we would take it to bed when we had a stomachache or a bad cold. I sit hugging the cup like I did as a child holding onto the red rubber bottle, feeling safe and loved once again.

Could bringing joy into someone’s life be as simple as offering a cup of hot water to them? Could it be that some of the greatest kindnesses we give are small and simple offerings? Could it be as simple as repeating a compassionate thought to your usually anxious self. Could it be as simple as smiling at someone or giving a sincere compliment? Could it be as simple as cutting some flowers from your garden and visiting your neighbor or as simple as taking the time to text someone letting them know you are thinking of them and love them?

As we share joy, we can warm other’s hearts allowing them to feel the mists of kindness, enticing them to spread this feeling to others. I can’t wait to tell my husband about Big Red as I now affectionately think of her. I want to spread the warmth of her kindness.  For now, I will sit here and allow myself to experience joy, the joy of . . . a cup of hot water!

Elaine