A Plane Full of Firefighters
For a nervous flyer, there isn't anything more comforting that to be on an airplane full of firefighters, even if the nervous firefighter is the one who is nervous. On the way out to Indianapolis and then on the way back home, my plane was crammed with firefighters and medics. One fire department in particular was on the same flights that I was on. It was pretty fun to meet up with them again at the end of the week.
On my flight back home, I was seated next to a firefighter who was not a fan of flying. As many of you know, I also don't like to fly and usually rely on the comforts of John and some Valium to get me through my travels. This was my first big flight without him in a long, long time. I did pretty good on my way out but of course I had my medicine. On the way back, I got so carried away conversating with my fellow firefighters at the airport that I forgot to take my medicine. I decided that I would try and make this flight without it.
While waiting for the plane to take off, I started talking to the guy next to me. He admitted that he was afraid to fly. I told him that I would share my stash of Valium if he needed it. He was pretty thankful but decided not to take any. He still seemed pretty scared as we were about to take off, so I decided to keep him talking to try and ease his mind a little. I laugh at the memory now because it's like the blind leading the blind. In reality, trying to keep him occupied and not thinking about his fears also helped me with mine. I gave up a lot of my usual comforts to try and comfort another firefighter. I gave him my seat by the window. I gave him my earphones so he could listen to the in-flight movie. I shared my newspaper with him. I shared my food with him. And I offered up my precious Valium.
When the plane ride started getting bumpy and my heart rate started to race, I decided that I wanted my medicine. I dug through my bag but came up empty handed. Luckily the guy next to me didn't need it. I realized I had packed the medicine and that I would have to make this flight drug free. I panicked for a few minutes. Then I looked around at all of the firefighters sitting around me. Many of them are friends of mine. I thought about how I would go into burning buildings with these people. I thought about how we would all risk our lives for one another. Somehow that eased my mind. We were all in this together. We were all part of a brotherhood. Being a firefighter creates a special bond and provides a sense of comfort.
As the plane was landing, we all chatted and laughed that we had survived another plane ride. More of the firefighters admitted their fears of flying. I laughed to myself, realizing that I wasn't the only one who didn't like to give up their control and their safety to another human being. I survived the ride without my medicine and with a lot of prayer. We were leaving the plane when one of my friends turned to me and said that a terrorist would never dare to try and take down a plane full of firefighters. So true I thought. So true........ A plane full of firefighters can do anything, including comforting other fearful firefighters.
On my flight back home, I was seated next to a firefighter who was not a fan of flying. As many of you know, I also don't like to fly and usually rely on the comforts of John and some Valium to get me through my travels. This was my first big flight without him in a long, long time. I did pretty good on my way out but of course I had my medicine. On the way back, I got so carried away conversating with my fellow firefighters at the airport that I forgot to take my medicine. I decided that I would try and make this flight without it.
While waiting for the plane to take off, I started talking to the guy next to me. He admitted that he was afraid to fly. I told him that I would share my stash of Valium if he needed it. He was pretty thankful but decided not to take any. He still seemed pretty scared as we were about to take off, so I decided to keep him talking to try and ease his mind a little. I laugh at the memory now because it's like the blind leading the blind. In reality, trying to keep him occupied and not thinking about his fears also helped me with mine. I gave up a lot of my usual comforts to try and comfort another firefighter. I gave him my seat by the window. I gave him my earphones so he could listen to the in-flight movie. I shared my newspaper with him. I shared my food with him. And I offered up my precious Valium.
When the plane ride started getting bumpy and my heart rate started to race, I decided that I wanted my medicine. I dug through my bag but came up empty handed. Luckily the guy next to me didn't need it. I realized I had packed the medicine and that I would have to make this flight drug free. I panicked for a few minutes. Then I looked around at all of the firefighters sitting around me. Many of them are friends of mine. I thought about how I would go into burning buildings with these people. I thought about how we would all risk our lives for one another. Somehow that eased my mind. We were all in this together. We were all part of a brotherhood. Being a firefighter creates a special bond and provides a sense of comfort.
As the plane was landing, we all chatted and laughed that we had survived another plane ride. More of the firefighters admitted their fears of flying. I laughed to myself, realizing that I wasn't the only one who didn't like to give up their control and their safety to another human being. I survived the ride without my medicine and with a lot of prayer. We were leaving the plane when one of my friends turned to me and said that a terrorist would never dare to try and take down a plane full of firefighters. So true I thought. So true........ A plane full of firefighters can do anything, including comforting other fearful firefighters.
posted by Wendy at 8:50 PM
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