As I waited for my first flight of the day, I was overwhelmed with anxiety. Is this really happening? I’m actually going on this trip? Is New York right for me? Will this trip completely change my perspective? 

Overcaffeinated and tired, I sat down in my seat and took a deep breath. Just as I started to settle in an elderly woman sat down next to me. Worried that she was going to talk to me, I put in my earbuds and started playing Khalid. This did not give off the message I was hoping, and she spoke to me anyway.  To my surprise, we had a wonderful conversation.

Anne is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. Every person that stood up and walked past us she would give a compliment. She was inherently nice. We bonded over our love for dogs, sharing photos with each other. I learned about her entire family. She lost her husband at 63 and has been alone ever since. They had a beautiful marriage for 36 years. She was traveling to Seattle to watch her grandson’s lacrosse tournament. We talked for the whole plane ride.

My anxiety was gone entirely. Getting off the plane I was in the best mood. Anne stood on her tiptoes to hug me goodbye and went off to meet her son. Our conversation was the dose of motherly advice that I had been missing. The moral of the story is to relax and be in the moment. Don’t be afraid to talk to the person next to you. You never know what you might learn. Every conversation offers something new — inspiration, a connection, a friendship, etc.

Thank you, Anne.

Dana Norder #1 5.3.19