Loneliness
I was reminded of loneliness the other day as I passed through Atlanta airport. I always select an ailse seat when flying but on this occasion had been assigned a window seat and as it was a very short flight did not request a change. I was talking with a gentleman from NC who like myself was on his way home. My back was to the window as we talked and discussed the usual introductory pleasantness that strangers share on planes. My new found friend stopped in mid sentence and said "someone else going home".
I turned and looking out of the window saw that a baggage trolley had been brought up and left on the tarmac just beyond our aircraft. In the trolley was a coffin wrapped and packaged for air travel. As our plane pushed back I thought of the person in the coffin and the lonely journey they were making to their final resting place.
A soldier from Iraq? A mother or father? A business man like myself and the man seated by my side? I did not know but it seemed inappropriate for the person to be sitting alone in a baggage trolley waiting on an aircraft. I trusted that perhaps some family member was in the terminal waiting to make the flight also.
A lonely sight indeed but I thought of what the bible says, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and also that Jesus promised never to leave or forsake us. I do not know what those who do not believe think on such occasions but for me it reminds me of my faith. I am also reminded to count my blessings each and every day.
I believe it was either Winston Churchill or Benjamin Franklin who said that the saddest site in the world is a man standing by a window looking out at the rain who could not read. In Atlanta looking out of that aircraft window I could not agree.
Do you ever feel lonely? We all at times miss family and friends. We all feel grief at the loss of a loved one but sadness even deep sadness is not loneliness. Loneliness is a frame of mind. It is a loss of attitude. Attitude is starting each day saying I have another opportunity to help others. I have another day to enjoy the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. To see an eagle fly or to read a good book. You dictate your attitude all by yourself. I urge you each new day to smile at the world because if you do it will smile back.
I turned and looking out of the window saw that a baggage trolley had been brought up and left on the tarmac just beyond our aircraft. In the trolley was a coffin wrapped and packaged for air travel. As our plane pushed back I thought of the person in the coffin and the lonely journey they were making to their final resting place.
A soldier from Iraq? A mother or father? A business man like myself and the man seated by my side? I did not know but it seemed inappropriate for the person to be sitting alone in a baggage trolley waiting on an aircraft. I trusted that perhaps some family member was in the terminal waiting to make the flight also.
A lonely sight indeed but I thought of what the bible says, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and also that Jesus promised never to leave or forsake us. I do not know what those who do not believe think on such occasions but for me it reminds me of my faith. I am also reminded to count my blessings each and every day.
I believe it was either Winston Churchill or Benjamin Franklin who said that the saddest site in the world is a man standing by a window looking out at the rain who could not read. In Atlanta looking out of that aircraft window I could not agree.
Do you ever feel lonely? We all at times miss family and friends. We all feel grief at the loss of a loved one but sadness even deep sadness is not loneliness. Loneliness is a frame of mind. It is a loss of attitude. Attitude is starting each day saying I have another opportunity to help others. I have another day to enjoy the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. To see an eagle fly or to read a good book. You dictate your attitude all by yourself. I urge you each new day to smile at the world because if you do it will smile back.
posted by Wisdom at 6:55 PM
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